Keeper of the People (Book One)

by Karah Quinney

  “We will follow the animal kind and they will lead us to safety.” A rapid flow of hand signals flew from Taikiuu’s fingers and whispered from Kii’s lips as she gazed into the forest without blinking. Jon’lan recovered his composure. He had seen this type of animal behavior before during storms and floods.

  Often the animals were the first to sense danger and had led many bands to safety as they followed in their footsteps. It seemed that the animals could sense the safety of the caves that spotted the mainland and so Jon’lan allowed his heart to hope for the first time since escaping the burning island of Hetmos.

  As the small group made their way into the safe shelter of the forest Jon’lan asked a question that had been bothering him since discovering the woman and her people.

  “How is it that no trader has ever discovered your people before me? I admit that it was by chance that I came so far south in my travels, but is it possible that I was the first trader to visit your village.” He was unable to stop himself from admiring the woman’s stamina and strength. Jon’lan shifted the weight on his back and he blinked in confusion as the woman held out her hands.

  He knew that she wanted to take on some of the burden that he carried. Jon’lan hesitated for a moment before removing several items from his trading packs. It went against the grain to allow her to help, but he knew that they would move faster if he shared the load he carried. With the decision made he quickly filled one pack and handed it to the woman.

  She also carried the small girl child perched upon one of her hips. The young girl followed closely behind the Ada’na and almost ran into her when they came to a sudden halt.

  Taikiuu gestured with limited signs while carrying the little girl who clung to her in fear. The language she had developed was best spoken with two hands.

  Kii peered around Taikiuu’s shoulder in order to relay her words to Jon’lan. She did not need to see Taikiuu’s signs to answer the trader’s question. She knew the answer as surely as she knew her own name. Still she used the words the Ada’na had chosen knowing that it would be disrespectful not to repeat exactly what was intended.

  “She says that other traders have come, many traders have come and none have ever left the island of Hetmos or the village of Aztlan.” Kii’s translated words hung in the air, until the silence was once again complete.

  Jon’lan puzzled over the words the girl spoke, thinking that something had been lost in the interpretation until realization suddenly dawned on him. He remembered the unabashed greed in the villager’s eyes as they looked over his valuable trading supplies.

  He also remembered how they barely bargained with him for his trading goods accepting his requested trade with no protest. It was as if they knew that they would in fact lose nothing in the trading. The only way the villagers could believe that they would lose nothing was if Jon’lan was never allowed to leave the island at all.

  Taikiuu watched Jon’lan’s face for his reaction as he realized that the villagers knew that he would never leave the island alive because they had committed this same treachery many times before. When a new trader arrived, they would undoubtedly welcome him with great ceremony, some with open stares, and others with smiles of excitement.

  Trading would begin and the trader would be put at ease by the villager’s absence of bargaining skills and ready acceptance of his requests. He would be at ease until someone started a fight with him perhaps over goods or an exaggerated grievance.

  Then as always the trader would lose his life and all would benefit from the things he had brought with him. All would partake of the many valuable items from other lands. Jon’lan felt sickened by such greed and evil.

  At the same time he realized that the young girl walking fearlessly at his side had tried to warn him at the request of the Ada’na. When that failed, she had surely risked her life to save his. By accepting his hand as lifemate she had sealed her fate, risking banishment from her people for all time for marrying an outsider.

  Surely this was a woman to be admired. He knew little of her culture or beliefs yet his heart softened as he gazed upon her beautiful face. He wondered how she could remain the epitome of serenity when other women would quake with fear.

  Kii saw the flow of emotions pass over the trader’s face and then she saw his eyes burn with admiration as he looked upon the Ada’na. Kii also noticed that Taikiuu who was often sensitive to the emotions of those around her took no note of the man’s open perusal.

  If Taikiuu did see how the trader watched her with admiration, she chose not to honor the trader by acknowledging him. The small group continued on, marching quickly through the undergrowth, the trees towered above them providing shelter from the ash and rain.

  Chapter Six

  “This would be a good time to find shelter.” Jon’lan spoke softly so as not to startle the woman or children.

  “They hunt us even now.” Kii spoke for Taikiuu, her eyes ever attentive to the Ada’na for any sign or signal.

  “Let them come. We will be gone before they find us and we will not be easy prey.” Jon’lan voice rang with authority; however, he spoke with a bravado that he did not feel.

  He was one man against a boat full of warriors. He did not expect the woman to fight at his side. Although in his village his sister had been just as good with a spear and bow as he was. He knew this was not common amongst most people, but Jon’lan and Laloni had a doting father who could deny his children nothing.

  As leader of the village his word could not be overthrown and so they had been allowed to do all things together from the beginning of their lives. Jon’lan closed his eyes at the memory and the poignant feelings it evoked.

  He focused his mind back to the present, searching now for a safe haven in which to hide protected until daylight. He motioned for the woman and children to stay shielded by the shrubbery and trees.

  Moving forward cautiously Jon’lan used all of his senses to search the surrounding area. Whenever he found a place where they could take shelter he would find weak spots that could not be well defended by one man. He began to fear that they would have to settle for a place easily breached by any enemy.

  Again he searched the area and he could almost feel the eyes of the woman following him as he walked in the near darkness. His hunter’s eye told him that not even the keenest pair of eyes could see at this distance, but still Jon’lan felt as if the woman watched him.

  He had almost given up hope of finding a secure place that would offer adequate shelter, when he heard the faintest sound of water. The forest could be deceptive yet Jon’lan followed the sound over a sandy embankment that soon turned into hard rock.

  Taking a risk in the fading light Jon’lan quickly surveyed the area, it was as he had hoped, behind the small waterfall was a cave and in the growing darkness it would be almost invisible. His hope was that they could depart in the morning from the opposite side of the mainland; this way they could evade anyone who sought to follow them.

  Taikiuu huddled close with the small child and Kii. She dared not make any noise as she was fearful of attracting notice. She wondered if she had made the right decision. She wondered what type of man the trader was and whether or not he would harm her or the children.

  A part of her sensed that he was not like Marad, a brute, who would take what he wanted without question or pity. But she had not been around any men save for the elders of her people and they were all ancient.

  They did not possess the vitality that exuded from the man who walked so fearlessly into the night seeking a safe place for them to rest. The men she had come into contact with did not possess his fierce gaze which made her feel as if the sun itself was shining upon her to warm her face.

  No, the men of her village did not possess even a handful of the power that ran in the blood of this man that she had chosen as her lifemate. Taikiuu felt Kii tremble beside her and this brought her back from her thoughts, she realized that the young girl must be terrified. They had fled their village eve
n as it burned to the ground. With their actions, they marked themselves as outcasts.

  Even if the villagers should rebuild, they would never be permitted to return. They were unable to mourn their dead. At the thought of those who must have perished in the inferno that had once been their home, Taikiuu felt a tearing in her soul so great that she could barely contain her sorrow.

  Taikiuu refused to utter even a whimper of grief at the thought that she might frighten Kii who even now threw aside the tenets of their village and clung to her hand without thought or permission.

  The trees behind Taikiuu rustled and all of her senses came alert. She sensed the trader before he appeared behind her and did not turn her head to acknowledge him. She did not want him to see the pain reflected in her eyes.

  “I have found a safe place for us until daylight.” Jon’lan spoke softly hoping not to startle the woman, who huddled so protectively over her charges.

  Kii succeeded in not screaming out loud but she could not stop herself from jerking in fear as the trader spoke. She had not heard him approach although she had sensed a change in the Ada’na’s posture. New respect for the trader blossomed in Kii’s heart. So far the trader had not done them harm and for now that would be enough, it would have to be enough.

  Taikiuu followed behind the trader as he lead them through the forest and then past a small stream of fresh water that trickled softly in the lengthening darkness. Finally they had to feel their way on hands and knees as he directed them under the waterfall and into a small opening that Taikiuu soon realized was a cave.

  “Don’t worry,” The trader spoke when he felt the woman hesitate, “I checked the area for animals before laying down fresh grass. There was no sign. Perhaps this location is not accessible to bears or wolves. We cannot risk a fire, but I will keep watch throughout the night and we will rest here.”

  Taikiuu felt a wave of relief overtake her. It would be a good thing to rest; it would be a good thing to feel safe if only for one night. She reached into her medicine pack and touched the downy soft fur of the owl that she had rescued. He let out a peep that had all eyes turning towards Taikiuu.

  Slowly she withdrew her hand, holding the small owl in one palm. He was alert and watchful and Taikiuu knew then that he would survive.

  Jon’lan read the woman’s intention when she glanced up into a tree that would make a good home for the owl. He carefully approached her and she hesitated for one moment before handing the small owl over to him.

  Jon’lan placed the owl within his parka and nimbly climbed a large tree that Taikiuu pointed out. He placed the owl into one of the highest branches and the little bird hopped away eagerly. As Jon’lan returned to the ground he looked into the face of the woman and saw a grateful smile hidden there.

  Who knew what the morning would bring? For this moment they had food, fresh water and enough clothing to keep warm during the night. Tomorrow would come and bring what it would. For tonight, they were at least safe.

  Taikiuu lay in front of the little girl and Kii with her back to the small child as a shield from the cold. She watched the trader as he looked over their supply packs in the fading light and slowly settled with his back resting against the cave wall to sleep.

  He had not paid her any attention as she helped the girls prepare for rest. She was thankful for this reprieve but at the same time she watched him as prey might watch a predator. She had never known kindness from a man and she did not expect to learn it now.

  Taikiuu did not know what caused grown men to behave as beasts, causing harm to those weaker than themselves. She pressed backwards at this thought scooting the little girl more firmly into the warmth of Kii’s body. She hoped that the layer of fur that was between Kii and the cave wall would offer some protection against the cold.

  She did not worry about her own comfort, as she was used to doing without. Many times as the elders had deemed fit, her Haik had been cleared of her meager belongings and she had been allowed only a woven blanket to sleep upon.

  The elders believed that the Ada’na would learn the value of material possessions best if she was forced to do without anything but the essentials needed to sustain life. Instead she learned self reliance and endurance.

  She learned to control her fear, to warm herself not with blankets or fire, but by sheer force of will and the desire to live and know life. She survived all of their cruel lessons and would not allow her spirit to be broken as had been their intent.

  Taikiuu watched the trader and wondered how he could sleep so peacefully when all around them chaos had taken over the world.

  Jon’lan did not sleep. He lay with his eyes closed but for the last few moments he had been listening. He listened with an intensity that would surprise even his sister Laloni who always swore that her hearing was superior to his. Jon’lan could not say what it was that had caught his attention.

  At first he assumed the sound he heard was that of a small animal perhaps a mouse or some other four-legged creature. Caution made him wary of anything out of the ordinary and the shuffling sounds he heard now were not made by an animal of any kind that he had ever known.

  It was not possible that the warriors that pursued them had tracked them this far in the dark. Jon’lan had made quick work of returning to the beach to gather his supply packs and he was overcome with gladness when he saw his hawk had found the boat and stood guard. Jon’lan talked to Hawk as he gathered his supplies and bid the bird to stay and guard the boat. Jon’lan took care as he traveled back to the cave so as to avoid leaving a trail that even a child could follow through the woods.

  He wished that he had enough light to see by. He wanted to carry the canoe back to the cave with him. He had to make a choice to return with his supplies or the boat. Since they were on the mainland, he decided that the rest of his supplies were the most important thing to retrieve.

  He had done his best to hide his boat, but a good tracker would be able to spot it. Jon’lan would have returned for his canoe under ordinary circumstances and carried it through the forest until they found open water again. This would be a daunting task if he had to carry the heavy long boats of his pursuers. Jon’lan’s canoe was of his own design, once emptied of trading supplies it was lightweight in comparison.

  Jon’lan had formed each plank with his own hands; he had even tested the weight of the boat by carrying it through his village at the behest of his sister. He remembered how his sister’s eyes widened with surprise as he lifted the canoe upon his shoulders seemingly without effort and carried it with ease through their village and beyond.

  He could almost hear her clapping her hands and singing as she walked by his side praising him for his strength and wisdom in creating such a fine boat. He threatened to name his sister “She Who Sings Badly” much to her amusement. Now he wondered if anyone would be able to track him in the dark to this cave or if he would ever see his canoe again.

  He was a fine tracker himself and could not imagine finding someone in the dark without moon or light to guide him. Therefore, whatever rustled around above them in the dark could not be the warriors who sought them out of misplaced vengeance. Jon’lan cautiously opened his eyes until they were mere slits and watched the cave entrance; his breathing was even, his body relaxed. He was ready for whatever threatened them from the dark.

  The boy lay silently on the forest floor watching as the strange ones settled down for rest in his home. For so long the land itself had belonged to Boy Alone.

  The animals had become his friends showing him where to drink clean water, where to find the ripe berries that grew in abundance if only you knew where to seek them. The animals had been his friends and family, becoming a clan of their own in his eyes.

  He did well on his own with just the animals for friends and even with his injured arm he had been able to hunt and gather food. Pain made him dizzy and he shook his head to clear it. He felt fear shiver up and down his spine as he realized that he was growing weaker instead of stronger.
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  Now these strange ones had come, along with numerous animals that were foreign to him, traipsing through the forest, disturbing all that he loved.

  A part of him wished that he could communicate with these strange ones but he knew that it would be useless. Because of the curse placed upon him he was invisible to all people. He was an outcast and this he knew well.

  Anger as well as pain surged through him and he wanted to send the strangers back the way they had come. But first he needed to see for himself who they were and what they brought along with them. Soon it would be as if they had never disturbed the peace of his forest.

  He slithered along the ground like brother snake making his way ever closer to the cave entrance. The rain and the waterfall masked the sound of his approach. He peered through the streaming water and saw in the dim light one man sleeping against the cave wall and farther behind him he could make out the shadowed images of more strangers.

  His courage began to desert him until he realized that the strangers could not see him or hear his voice. With renewed courage he raised himself to a crouch beside the small waterfall that hid the cave entrance. He slid through the waterfall and into the cave silently and stood boldly in the entrance.

  Jon’lan was not taken by surprise. He could just make out the silhouette of a person standing with their back to the waterfall. Jon’lan did not move, nor show that he was awake.

  Something about the person’s posture did not seem threatening to him. As the figure approached Jon’lan allowed his sight to lose focus so as to better see in the dark. This was a trick he had learned at his father’s knee.

  He relaxed his vision, letting his eyes remain slightly open while looking straight ahead. He used his peripheral vision to watch as the figure approached. The person was still slightly out of focus but Jon’lan was able to make out the gaunt features of a young boy, perhaps sixteen seasons of age.