Keeper of the People (Book One)

by Karah Quinney

  Sirion tried again to draw the man’s attention but he stared at her with a bored gaze, waiting for her to make her choice.

  Finally when Sirion realized that the man feigned ignorance of her intentions she turned and walked away. She fumed in anger over being rejected by someone as lowly as a trader.

  It would be best if she pretended that the trader’s wares were beneath her than to give in to the truth. She had been scorned by the infuriating man in front of everyone gathered.

  Several of the women averted their eyes as she walked by. Some were bold enough to talk behind their hands. Sirion decided that Marad could not finish with the trader too soon. She would find Marad and make sure that he made the trader suffer first before he ended his life. It was only fitting.

  Taikiuu looked up into the trees as she walked....something was in danger...or needed her...or maybe it was too late. Clasping her amulet in her hand, she felt the crush of the stones against her fingers. The pouch that she used as a home for her amulet was made of a dark brown animal hide, it was plain and unattractive, worn thin by her fingers over time.

  The contents of the pouch came from her mother, Shi’nar. Never would she want anyone to see the stones hidden inside. She remembered her journey into the mountain with her mother as a young girl. Holding her mother’s hand they had started along the path leading to Shi’nar’s secret place.

  They entered a small cavern that was hidden by the side of the mountain. Her mother told her that it was the place where Taikiuu had been born and there was a hidden cavern that actually went through the mountain and out the other side. The enormity of the cave was too much for one as young as six seasons to understand.

  Taikiuu could only see the beauty of the snowy peaks and silver slated rock. Her mother built up the small fire and she knelt with her daughter as they warmed themselves. Taikiuu was filled with anticipation as earlier her mother told her today they would have a giving ceremony.

  "What I am about to give you, is not from this place, and must be closely guarded all the days of your life, until there is one like you that you must bestow it upon with these same words." This phrase her mother asked her to repeat which Taikiuu promptly did. Taikiuu had a unique memory; she could remember words and phrases spoken hands ago by many different people. But always, she remembered the teaching of Shi’nar, her mother. All she had to do was close her eyes and remember. It was as her mother had taught her to do, and she did not think of it as anything special.

  When her mother asked her again later in the evening to repeat the phrase Taikiuu was angered, for nothing had yet been given to her. Still she lowered her eyes as a dutiful daughter should when angered by her mother, and spoke the words solemnly. Her mother nodded her approval, praise shining in her eyes for her daughter to see if only she would look up. Taikiuu's gaze remained on the cavern floor.

  Shi’nar did not reprimand her daughter. She knew that with the gift that she gave Taikiuu, her daughter would be a child no longer. Shi’nar wished her daughter could remain a child forever, laughing at nature, and curious about everything she saw and touched. Taikiuu raised her eyebrows in surprise as no reprimand came, her inquisitiveness got the better of her and she slanted her eyes up at her mother. Her mother chuckled which startled Taikiuu who joined her. Taikiuu laughed in her own way, allowing the sound to flow up from the bottom of her belly. This only made her mother laugh harder. No words were necessary between mother and daughter as they enjoyed the beauty of the night.

  In the present Taikiuu heard herself sigh as she touched the familiar amulet. She had only gazed upon it that one time with her mother. As requested she would not look again upon its beauty until it was necessary. She wondered how she would know when that time would come. But reassurance of the promise that she would indeed know whispered to her soul. Taikiuu did not question the answer.

  Again she searched the area around her waiting for a sound, searching for something barely there. Finally she heard the tiniest sound and she sank slowly to her knees near a tall spruce tree. She waited far longer than even a patient hunter would until she heard the sound again.

  The sounds made by this animal were not familiar to her. Her fingers searched through the brush until she felt a sharp peck. She examined her hand and saw that something had drawn blood.

  Surprise registered on her face when she looked down to find a baby owl fallen from the nest. Sadness quickly followed as she realized that even if she could climb up high enough to place the owl back in his nest he probably would not survive. His mother would most likely reject him. The owl looked at her with hooded eyes. She noticed that it shivered in the evening breeze.

  Grasping the bird firmly around his tiny body she picked him up and held him to her chest careful of his hungry beak. This was a wild animal and even though only a few days old, it could still cause considerable harm if she allowed it.

  Taikiuu examined the owl and found that he was sturdy with no broken bones and she saw that he had probably been saved by a bedding of leaves that broke his fall. She gently touched his feathered head searching for damage. A sound behind her confirmed that she had become totally absorbed in her discovery. She made a decision to try to save the owl. If he choose to give his life spirit to the wind that would be his choice, but she would try to help him.

  Taikiuu carefully placed the little owl into her medicine pouch. She silently hoped that the owl did not mind the smell of birch root and mint leaf mixed together. She smiled to herself as she realized that he would probably not mind since he was now warm and safe. She admonished herself not to give the owl a false personality, at least not until he decided whether he would live or die.

  Jon'lan watched the woman from a distance, wondering what it was she found hidden in the brush, wondering what had brought a smile to her face. He was struck again by how lovely she was and even her smile took his breath away.

  He had not meant to sneak up on her, but he had been looking for a place to brood away from prying eyes. When he realized that he had stumbled upon her, he made every effort not to startle her by making a sound. Even his breath he held in, hoping that he would not alert her to his presence.

  Jon’lan was relieved when she made her way back towards the village and he watched as she went on her way. He was a good tracker and was able to see that she had discovered some small animal hidden amongst the leaves.

  He couldn't say what type of animal but it must have been tiny if she could tuck it away into the pouch she carried. As he went his way he was pleased that she had not discovered his presence but he was also strangely disappointed.

  Taikiuu dug into the dirt behind her Haik as she searched for small bugs to feed to her owl. Her first attempt to feed the small owl had been unsuccessful. He promptly closed his eyes and rejected her gesture. Concern gnawed at her heart; she did not know when the owl had eaten last. If he did not eat soon he might die of starvation.

  Taikiuu thought of the stranger with his hawk. She wondered if he would tell her how to feed this little one. It was worth a try, but she would have to find a way to ask him, without speaking to him in front of her people.

  She smiled, perhaps if the thought had struck earlier, she could have asked him in the silence of the woods. But the trader wanted her to think that he was not there and she did not disappoint him.

  She chided herself for showing too much interest in the trader. He was a man like any other man. There was no reason that she should pay him any special attention. Taikiuu admitted to herself that she felt many wonderful feelings whenever she was in his presence. Until she was able to remain in complete control of her mind and heart she would use her position as Ada'na to remain as she was. Silent.

  Kii created a dress for Taikiuu that was beyond compare. Made of two pieces the top wound over her neck and fell in a drape over her breasts, leaving her back bare. The bottom wrapped around her slim waist and over her curves in a way meant to define her body as a woman. It was not a garment Taikiuu would have chosen for
herself but it was more than suitable for her role as the Ada’na.

  Taikiuu would also wear her hair unbraided for the ceremony, although she preferred to have her long hair tucked away from her face. She carefully began unbraiding it now, brushing her fingers through the length removing any tangles. Better that she unbraid it herself than to allow Kii to come at her with her finger stones.

  Taikiuu smiled at the thought. Kii had found shards of rock, one for each finger that she fashioned and tied onto her hand. She would use one hand to stroke through Taikiuu's hair and undo any tangles. It was not a comfortable process for Taikiuu, but she allowed it mostly because she craved the one thing she could not have as the Ada'na, contact with another person.

  Remembering back to when she was a young child Taikiuu had often desired to be held by her mother. Yet after her sixth summer no one, not even her mother, had been permitted to touch her daughter, not even as Shi’nar lay upon her deathbed. Taikiuu shook this thought from her mind; she would not allow herself to feel sorrow over what was yesterday. After all, as Ada'na, it was her duty to serve the People. Taikiuu wiped the tears from her cheeks and stood slowly with an innate grace. Outside her Haik's entrance she found her food prepared for her in a small bowl. Her stomach rumbled reminding her that she had not eaten. This would be her last meal before the day ended.

  Taikiuu opened up a small pouch and tucked the nuts and dried berries away for safe keeping. After tonight's ceremony she might be denied food as penance. She checked on her small owl, sitting comfortably in a nest she had created for him. She had gathered grasses and twigs together with mud creating a fine mess, but also a safe haven for the little owl.

  Using soft scraps of hide and fur that Kii had left behind she placed this under the owl for warmth. His sleepy eyes seemed to smile at her, and again she tried to feed him, this time after carefully mashing the food up he opened his beak wide and allowed her to drop the food in. He swallowed everything in one bite and this made Taikiuu smile. She watched as the owl's eyes drooped and finally closed. His overwhelming need to sleep reminded her that he was indeed an animal of the night.

  Taikiuu felt her stomach rumble again with hunger and decided that she should eat something now so that she would not become ill later. She pulled open an earthenware pot that rested on a shelf in her Haik, inside was her attempt at dried meat. She had salted it down as best she could and then cut the meat into reed like portions, finally drying it in the hot sun. It was tough to chew, but it did stave off hunger and fill her need for food.

  At the word given from Doud, she was on a strict ration and only allowed to eat food prepared by the priests or their servants. Because of her disobedience her portion size had decreased to a small meal given only once per day of nuts, berries and green leaf. She could drink as much water or willow root tea as she wanted. Most small children would go hungry if their portion sizes were rationed as hers had been. Yet, Taikiuu had developed many inventive ways to insure that she never starved. However, the past few moons had taken their toil on her body and looking down at herself she knew that she was smaller of size than a young woman her age should be.

  A whisper from outside her Haik alerted Taikiuu that it was time to leave. The ceremony would start soon and as Ada'na it was imperative that she take her position first. Recognizing that she was unsure of her place with her people and uncertain of her future Taikiuu left the relative safety of her Haik. She was certain she would not allow Doud to sacrifice any children's lives to the mountain. Her village had long believed that great gods roamed the mountains at night.

  Over the last few moons the mountains had begun to tremble and on one occasion ash had filled the sky. Taikiuu knew as surely as she breathed that her island village was in danger of being destroyed. Soon, nature itself would have its way. The people she served were stubborn and wanted to cling to their long held beliefs. It was her sacred duty to open their eyes to any perceived danger as their Ada’na. She was the Keeper of the People and blessed amongst all. If only the village elders would pay heed to her words she knew that she could help her people.

  She would start with Doud; he had known her since she was a small child, born the Chosen One. He was the one who was at her mother’s side even as she breathed her last breath. He was the one who had witnessed her mother give Taikiuu the title of Ada'na. Taikiuu understood that she could not trust Doud, for his heart was filled with treachery. She had to find a way to force the deceitful man to listen to her. There was simply no other way.

  Chapter Three

  Long ago in some distant time her people had began the ritual of blood sacrifice, at first it had been small animals as gifts to the sun or the mountain that trembled. Her mother had told her stories of each Ada'na from the beginning of time being opposed to the spilling of blood for any reason. But that had not stopped the rituals; in fact they had become more gruesome over time. Recently the elders had begun to cut themselves in front of those assembled together. It sickened Taikiuu to see the elders spill their own blood as a sacrifice to the sun and the mountain gods that they worshiped. Taikiuu found this practice repugnant.

  She reasoned that if there were gods in the mountain and they required the blood of the People to be appeased they were not gods that she wanted to serve. Taikiuu would never forget how Doud went against their oldest elder by usurping the man’s position and authority. Doud gave the decree that to stop the trembling of the mountain a great sacrifice would be needed and those assembled trembled in fear at his words.

  As Doud related his vision Taikiuu was shaken to hear that a sacrifice of a daughter of the People was required to appease the mountain gods. Much to her shock and dismay a prominent family immediately offered their youngest daughter. Taikiuu looked upon the lovely face of a girl child who was no older than three or four seasons. Taikiuu remembered how helpless she had been at the time, sitting silently, watching as the father pulled his youngest daughter forward by the hair.

  "This one will go to the mountain gods and they will find her worthy." The girl's father shouted so that all in the assembly could hear him. The little girl trembled violently and clutched at her father's leg.

  Taikiuu felt her heart tremble in her chest. She would speak, she would have to. These men meant to send this small child into the mountains as a sacrifice. More likely she would starve to death or die of thirst as she wandered around lost upon the hidden peaks. Powerless, Taikiuu could only watch and listen. The elders looked the little girl over and Taikiuu noticed that the young child was naked except for a small patch of material wrapped around her lower body.

  "I will accept your offer of a girl child from your family Selek." Doud spoke in a voice weakened with age addressing the man holding on to the trembling child.

  "We feel that the mountain gods will require a girl child past her first stay in the woman's Haik. We will accept your twin daughters as a sacrifice instead. You will be repaid for your loss by many blessings from the mountain god's, have no fear." Although Doud had spoken in barely a whisper, his words cut straight to Selek’s heart.

  What a foolish mistake he had made! The young girl child he held meant nothing to him, he was not even sure that she was his true blood child. But his twin girls were undeniably his and they were also already promised to young men of wealth. Surely he would not be required to give them away instead.

  He raised his hands to object to Doud’s decree, but as he lifted his eyes to the elder’s face a fierce chill took hold of his soul. To defy Doud could bring a curse upon himself and his family. His second wife had recently given birth to his only son. It was this one that Selek remembered as he lowered his head in acceptance and defeat.

  A wail came from the crowd and he realized it was his first wife, screaming in anguish at the loss of two such beautiful daughters. His grip loosened on the little girl and she fled away into crowd. He glanced at his twin daughters as they stood trembling over his betrayal.

  His wife's wails rose up over the crowded assembly
and the women gathered around her to offer comfort and assure her of the blessings to come. As Selek turned away, he wondered when it was that he had given his life spirit for prominence and notoriety and his eyes found those of the Ada'na.

  A violent shiver came upon him as his eyes caught and held by her condemning gaze. He looked for a glimmer of approval or thanksgiving and instead he felt his soul wither. It was too late to take back his words. Selek’s display of bravado had surely been a death sentence to his two treasured daughters.

  Taikiuu observed the events unfolding before her with a calm that bespoke her training as the Ada'na. There were limited options available to her, but she hoped that an objection from an Ada'na of the People would mean something amongst this assembly. She caught the eye of Doud and with an effort she looked away. Looking directly at Selek she signed her words as her servant Kii translated for her. Taikiuu was proud that Kii spoke without hesitation or a trace of fear as her young voice rang out clearly over the gathered crowd.

  "A vision you may have had, honored Doud, but the interpretation of your dream may not be as it seems, surely-." Taikiuu's word signs were cut short as she felt a lashing pain against the side of her face.

  Doud struck her so swiftly and with such brutal force that Taikiuu had not even seen the attack coming. Never before had an elder used force against the Ada’na, not for as far back as anyone could remember, including Taikiuu who had memorized the entire history of the People at a tender age.