The Man with Munnari Eyes

by M L Bellante

  “No, but if I click my heels together three times, maybe I can go there,” Coleman mused. The others looked at him with quizzical expressions and looked down and watched his feet. Coleman laughed out loud while the others exchanged perplexed glances with one another. Has the visitor lost his mind completely? they seemed to be communicating. As their confusion increased, Coleman’s laughter grew, and he grabbed his stomach.

  “I have not had such a good laugh in a long time,” he finally told them.

  “I think you’ve lost your mind,” Atura grumbled. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “I am just having a little fun with my friends,” he admitted as he calmed down and rubbed Toto all over some more. Coleman finally regained control of himself and instructed the other three on how to clean their bowls with water. Although they didn’t understand the purpose, they did what he said, a little concerned that he really had lost his mind.

  Coleman then turned to Atura and asked whimsically, “Do you think Tahso will visit tonight?” Atura gave him a coy smile but didn’t respond.

  “Ha, Tahso has the fire,” Tzeechoe chortled as Atura blushed, covered her face with her hands and turned her back to the men.

  “Now stop it, you two,” Tzeecha quipped. Just then they heard Tahso announce his arrival.

  “Speak of the devil. Here he is,” Coleman cracked.

  “Come into my home, Tahso,” Tzeechoe called.

  Tahso stepped through the doorway and asked Coleman, “What is dee-vahr?” Coleman’s shocked expression told him all he needed to know. “Humph,” was Tahso’s reaction. Then he said, “May I speak with Atura?”

  “Yes . . . yes, of course, you may,” Coleman stuttered. Tahso quickly turned around and exited with Atura following, her new metal knife in a leather sheath at her hip. Tzeecha walked to the doorway, ran her fingers through her hair like a comb, straightened her necklace, and stepped out of the lodge.

  Coleman turned to Tzeechoe and said, “I think she likes that necklace too much.”

  Tzeechoe had followed his wife with his eyes as she exited and he continued staring at the doorway. “What did you say, Tondo?”

  “Never mind.”

  Coleman then decided to visit Chashutzo and check on his condition.

  “Chashutzo, I am here. May I enter?” he called when he arrived at Chashutzo’s home.

  After a short delay, Chashutzo replied in a strained voice, “Enter, Tondo,”

  Coleman entered and asked, “What is the problem?” Chashutzo didn’t say a word but lowered his eyes.

  “He tried to stand up and hurt himself,” Chashutza admitted.

  “I warned you it will take time for this to heal properly. Let me take a look.”

  Coleman examined the injury but couldn’t see any noticeable damage. All of a sudden, a thought, but not really a thought, more like a feeling from his core, told him he could relieve Chashutzo’s pain. Coleman pondered for a moment and wondered if it were possible for him to use tah to reduce the pain. He rubbed his hands together until the friction warmed them. Then he placed his hands on Chashutzo’s wound. He felt the tah in his chest. Then he focused the energy in his mind. His hands warmed and glowed a dim red. He felt power pass to Chashutzo’s body.

  “Tondo, what did you do? It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Chashutzo told him.

  “I think I helped remove the pain.”

  “Is my wound healed?”

  “I do not think so. I think all I did was relieve the pain. You must not stand up until I tell you it is okay. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Tondo. I understand. I promise I will not stand up again.”

  Coleman was amazed that he had found a new tah power. He wondered how many more powers he would discover. Coleman and Chashutzo talked for a while about the latest hunts and the changes to the village traditions. Chashutzo couldn’t wait to get moving again, but he agreed to do what he’d been told.

  After about an hour, Coleman excused himself and walked back to Tzeechoe’s lodge. Before he went to bed, he took Toto for a short walk. Then both retired for the night. Just before he fell asleep, he heard Atura and Tzeecha return. For the next several minutes, he listened as Tzeechoe and Tzeecha whispered quietly. Soon, the others heard his heavy breathing as he slipped into an untroubled sleep.

  In the middle of the night, Coleman awoke to the sound of thunder rumbling overhead. Rain began pelting the outer walls of the lodge as a flash of lightning illuminated the room with white light. Toto rustled in his basket and began to whimper. Coleman tipped the basket and the little betzoe crawled to his side, attempting to bury its nose under Coleman’s arm. It wasn’t long before both man and beast were sound asleep again.

  For the next several days, Coleman’s activities settled into a regular routine, although a steady drizzle fell during this time. He usually spent half a day obtaining food, either by hunting wild animals or searching for plant food with his hunt team. While the other men continued to scan the trees and bushes for plant food, he examined the ground.

  He found a root plant that was very similar to a carrot, except in color, which was green. He also found mushrooms; however, he wasn’t sure if they were safe to eat. He decided the risk was too great and struck them off his list.

  In the afternoons, Coleman continued practicing his tah control and he felt confident he had mastered what was fast becoming a simple task. Chashutzo continued to heal, as well. After his recent painful experience, he followed Coleman’s advice closely and remained as still as he possibly could. Coleman even brought Toto into Chashutzo’s lodge to give him comfort. Although Chashutzo was a bit uncomfortable with the creature at first, they became good buddies in short order. After the pup had a couple of accidents in the dwelling, Chashutza lost any fondness she might have had for the beast. Nevertheless, it had been a relaxing and productive few days, and Coleman was feeling very pleased with himself about the progress the village was making. The children seemed happier; their singing and laughter was heard more often throughout the village. Coleman had even found a stone near the creek that he could use to sharpen his newly purchased short sword. In the quiet evening hours, he would sit near the lodge fire and sharpen his blade while Tzeechoe wove a new basket. Tahso continued to visit with Atura and they went on evening walks. Even the continuing rain never dampened their spirits.

  CHAPTER 15

  TRANSGRESSION

  Tzeecha became more and more enamored with her new necklace, wearing it all day long, every day. If Tzeechoe had allowed it, she would have worn it at night, as well. While this worried Coleman, he said nothing about it, except to tease her occasionally. One day Tzeecha and Atura left the village and climbed trees nearby to gather fruit pods. It was on this day that she left her necklace in the lodge, not wanting it to be lost or damaged while she was climbing. On that day, Coleman’s team returned from the hunt earlier than usual and as he approached Tzeechoe’s home, he noticed Nita, Namad’s teenage daughter, leaving Tzeechoe’s lodge. She trotted off toward her home and didn’t see Coleman approaching. He was surprised to find the dwelling empty, except for the napping betzo in his basket. He wondered what Nita was up to but dismissed it at the time as unimportant.

  Later that day, when Tzeecha and Atura returned with their baskets of fruit, Tzeecha discovered her necklace was missing. She searched every nook and cranny of the lodge and couldn’t find it. At the time, Coleman was outside the village practicing his fire-starting power. It wasn’t until nearly dusk when he returned and learned about the missing necklace.

  Coleman quickly deduced that Nita might have something to do with its disappearance, so he and Tzeechoe trudged through the rain to make a visit to Namad’s home. They wanted to learn what Nita had been doing in Tzeechoe’s lodge earlier in the day.

  “Namad, Tondo and I wish to speak with you,” Tzeechoe called.

  “Yes, my friends, come in from the rain,” Namad called in response. The two men stepped into the hut and felt the warmth of the fire on the
ir wet skin.

  “It was a good hunt today. Sit by the fire and let us talk about it,” Namad began.

  The visitors sat and politely discussed the day’s hunt for a few minutes while Coleman and Tzeechoe watched Nita shift uncomfortably, her worried gaze moving from one man to the other.

  After a respectable period, Tzeechoe got to the point of their visit. “Namad, Tzeecha is missing her necklace.”

  “What has that to do with me?” Namad asked.

  “We have looked everywhere for it, and it is not to be found,” Tzeechoe continued, “I must ask you to question Nita about it. Tondo saw her leaving my lodge when he was returning from the hunt. No one else was in my home.” Nita’s eyes widened and fear was etched across her face as an audible gasp escaped her mouth.

  “This cannot be,” Namad exploded. “She would not have entered your home without your blessing.” He looked at his daughter and the guilt she exuded was all that was needed to confirm his worst fears. “What have you done, my daughter? Did you enter Tzeechoe’s lodge without permission?” She didn’t answer and only bowed her head in shame. Namad jumped to his feet and slapped her across the top of her head. “Did you take Tzeecha’s necklace?” he shouted. The poor girl began to whimper, and suddenly she broke into gasping sobs, covering her face with her hands while rocking back and forth. Namada rushed to her daughter’s side and embraced her, attempting to comfort the panic-stricken girl.

  “How could you shame me like this? Tzeechoe is my friend. We have hunted together for many rains,” he growled and slapped the trembling girl again. “Give me the necklace!” he yelled. Nita scrambled to a dark corner of the lodge and rummaged through a collection of furs and baskets. She stopped and slowly raised the stolen necklace above her head, unable to look into her father’s enraged face. Namada gave a cry as if she had been pierced by a knife and fell to her face, clutching at the mats and skins on the floor. Namad carefully grasped the necklace and took it from Nita’s hand. He slapped her a third time. She shrieked, sprawled at her father’s feet, and continued sobbing uncontrollably.

  Namad turned and knelt before the squatting Tzeechoe, holding the necklace with both hands. He bowed lowly while speaking to the floor, “Tzeechoe, I am ashamed. Please take this and forgive me.”

  Tzeechoe took the necklace and said, “You are still my friend, Namad. I forgive you.”

  Tzeechoe stood and exited the lodge leaving Coleman sitting on the floor mat. He looked at the bowing and humiliated Namad, then to the pain wracked Namada, and finally to the sobbing Nita. Realizing this injured family needed privacy to come to terms with what had just happened, he stood and left the hut without speaking a word.

  As he was walking back to Tzeechoe’s dwelling, he saw Namad exit his home with Nita firmly held by the upper arm. They marched off in the direction of the chief’s lodge. Suddenly, Coleman’s heart sank. He realized that this matter was not yet fully resolved and Nita’s life could be in jeopardy.

  Coleman entered Tzeechoe’s home just as Tzeecha was placing the necklace around her neck. She had a bright, toothy smile, beaming with renewed joy. Coleman turned to Tzeechoe and asked, “I saw Namad and Nita heading toward the chief’s lodge. What is happening?”

  “Namad must tell the chief of his daughter’s transgression. Nothing like this has happened in the village in all my days. I think Nita will be banished for her misdeed.”

  Tzeecha’s expression quickly changed from happiness to worry and burden. She covered her mouth with her hand and her eyes widened. “Oy!” she gasped.

  Coleman plopped himself on the floor of the dwelling and began rubbing his forehead. Banishment seemed to be the only way the village elders dealt with problems. “I hardly think a string of beads is worth someone’s life,” he finally grumbled.

  “It is our law; the traditions keep us safe. Without them, all would be chaos and confusion. Either one follows the path of Batru and nurtures the good seeds or one falls into the grasp of the Tempter. Nita chose her path and now she must suffer the consequences,” Atura said in a matter of fact tone.

  “But the consequences are always so harsh. Is there no sense of a measured response in such matters?” Coleman asked.

  “We must purge our village of all evil before it becomes a threat to the welfare of the People,” Tzeechoe firmly stated.

  “Are you telling me Nita is evil and a threat to the People? Do you really believe that, Tzeechoe?” Coleman questioned.

  Tzeechoe looked into Coleman’s blue eyes and stared transfixed for several seconds. He lowered his gaze and whispered, “No, Nita has always been a good girl. I see no evil in her.” Coleman looked at Atura and she, too, lowered her gaze.

  The evening meal was eaten in silence as all four companions contemplated Nita’s fate. Later that night, Tahso made his usual visit and explained that there would be a special meeting of the whole village in the great lodge the next evening. Tahso also instructed Coleman that he was considered a witness to the worrisome transgression and would be expected to tell what he had seen. The adult males would then discuss what should be done with Nita and the chief would make the final decision. To Coleman, it sounded all too ominous. The girl had given in to temptation, and now she would pay for this infraction with her life. It pained Coleman to contemplate her doom and he wondered if there was anything he could do to save her and yet allow justice to be served.

  Stay out of this affair. The village leaders know what’s best. If you get involved, you’ll make a fool of yourself, Coleman’s inner voice whispered.

  The next morning found the village under a depressing pall of dampness no less thick than the gloom that enveloped the spirit of the People. A great transgression had been committed; one that had never been seen by even the most elderly: theft. The hunters departed the village as usual but their steps were heavy-laden. The gatherers also felt the burden of what was to take place in the evening. Namad assumed his duties as the tracker but said nothing. Not only was he suffering under despair for his daughter’s wrongdoing, but he also burned within by the shame she had brought upon his name. He spoke to no one and no one spoke to him. Coleman wanted to, but Tzeechoe counseled him to hold back.

  “He must be left alone with his thoughts and his prayers,” Tzeechoe advised.

  The hunt went poorly at first. The men didn’t focus well and many prey fled before the party could get within range. After midday, they reached a swampy area and found a saptur, a giant turtle-like creature with a shell two feet wide and four feet long. The biggest problem the men had was getting the large and heavy carcass back to the village. Coleman instructed the men on the building of a sled and the men struggled mightily as they dragged the heavy creature home. It was late in the day by the time they got back and they were all ravenous with hunger from their exertions; however, the effort made them forget their troubles. But when the task was completed, their thoughts turned again to the evening’s meeting in the great lodge.

  To make matters worse, Atura angrily confronted Coleman and told him she was tired of caring for Toto all day and she’d had enough of watching ‘that dumb beast,’ as she put it. He released her from this charge and told her from now on he would take the young betzoe with him when he went hunting. She handed him the leather cord she had been using as a leash and marched off to the center of the village to assist with the evening meal.

  As the red disk of p´atezas set, the evening meal was taken in silence. Very little conversation could be heard in any part of the village. A short time later, the monotonous beat of the drums sounded and the villagers slowly walked to the great lodge, mostly in silence. Only the smallest children uttered sounds. Tahso had informed Tzeechoe that his wife was to bring the necklace with her. She had not worn it all day and was reluctant to, but Tzeechoe insisted and she complied.

  The villagers took their usual places and soon after all had arrived, the chief and Tahso entered and sat on their stools. Tahso pointed his staff at the stack of wood in the fire pit an
d it burst into flame, sending flickering light throughout the structure. The chief stood, indicating the beginning of the meeting and the drumming abruptly stopped.

  “My children, we are gathered together this night on a matter of burning concern. Tzeecha, come forth with the necklace,” the chief commanded. Tzeecha slowly rose from her place and with distinct, self-conscious steps, made her way to the chief. She stopped and faced him. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her until she faced the gathering.

  “Tzeecha, is this your necklace?” he asked.

  “Yes, Tzeechoe gave it to me,” she replied.

  “Was it missing yesterday?” the chief questioned.

  “Yes,” she meekly answered.

  “Tondo, come forth.” Coleman rose from his place and moved silently to the chief’s side. “Tondo, did you see someone leaving Tzeechoe’s home when you returned from the hunt yesterday?”

  “Yes.”

  “Who was it?”

  “I saw Nita leaving the lodge.”

  “Was anyone in there when you entered?”

  “No.” A murmur of whispers could be heard as it became apparent Nita had entered Tzeechoe’s domicile without permission, which by itself was a serious transgression.

  “Tzeechoe, come forward,” the chief ordered. Tzeechoe rose and quickly moved to Tzeecha’s side and then turned toward the array of faces. “Tzeechoe, when you were told the necklace was missing, what did you do?” the chief questioned.

  “Tondo and I went to Namad’s lodge to ask about the necklace. Nita confessed to her father that she had taken it. Then the necklace was returned.”

  The chief scanned the faces of the villagers until he found Nita. In a loud and stern voice, he commanded, “Nita, stand!” The young woman did as she was ordered. “Did you take the necklace?” the chief asked. Every eye was upon the young woman. Not a sound was heard; even the little ones felt the gravity of the moment and fell silent. The chief repeated his question, “Did you take the necklace?”