Giad walked as quickly as possible carrying the impossibly heavy pack, he thought about how best to reunite Star Feather with Roark. It did not seem possible to do so without returning to Marad. Surely they would have lookouts that would see their approach before Giad could leave Star Feather where the men could find her and return her to her husband. As he approached the place where he had left Yaa, he hoped that she had stayed put. It would not do to lose her in these uncharted woods.
He felt a stab of fear as he did not immediately see her and could not risk calling out. He motioned for Star Feather to stay silent and quickly gave a short brief whistle that sounded very much like a mocking bird. He waited, heart thumping with fear until the sound came back to him. Yaa poked her head up not three paces from where Giad stood, startling Star Feather into a small shriek. Giad smiled and said, “You played the game well Sister.”
The three walked quickly knowing that they had to reach a decision today before stumbling upon the warriors. After many hands of time of walking Giad finally stopped and spoke, “I cannot take you to your husband. Doing so would risk the men discovering my sister, Yaa.” He held up a hand for silence as Star Feather started to speak. “I can take you as close as possible and then you will have to find their camp yourself.”
Star Feather reached out a hand and touched Giad’s shoulder, her eyes shining with unshed tears of thankfulness. She lightly patted an errant swirl of hair back into place upon Giad’s forehead and he closed his eyes, once again thinking of his mother. As they approached the first marker that Giad had left to show him the way back to the band of warriors Giad once again hid Yaa in the brush. Star Feather had given them food from her pack and a small woman’s knife for Yaa.
The little girl had accepted the present by throwing herself into Star Feather’s welcoming arms, holding on until Giad had gently pulled her away asking her again to hide herself along with the small packet of food. This time his sister obeyed without any objection, eager to do his bidding.
“I will lead you as far as possible, but from there you must go on your own.” Giad spoke quietly to Star Feather. She nodded, shifting the baby until he lay more securely against her chest.
“It is not a good place for a woman and a child.” Giad said but still he felt he must warn her of the danger even if doing so did make her uncomfortable. She was a warrior’s wife and deserving of respect and so he hoped she did not take offense at his words.
Star Feather studied Giad and said finally, “You are a good person Giad, do not worry, my husband Roark will take care of me.”
“Roark does the bidding of Marad in all things.” Giad spoke the words before his bravery deserted him. He knew it was wrong to speak against the warriors of the People. Who but the warriors brought food to the people on a daily basis? Who but the warriors protected the village from warring bands? Who but the warriors kept everyone safe and secure?
Still Giad had watched Roark humble himself before Marad, seeking something that Giad could not name. The man was a better leader than Marad would ever be, still he refused to rise above Marad, preferring to be treated as a servant instead of a warrior.
Star Feather smiled sadly, “Roark has had his spirit crushed,” she said softly, “There are things in this life that will do that to a man. Still he will protect us, even against Marad, of this you may be certain.”
Giad said no more, hoping that Star Feather’s words would be spoken into truth. From what he had seen it wasn’t very likely. Still he wished only good things for the kind woman and her husband.
“I will wait and watch for you as you go.” Giad whispered afraid that even the slightest noise would alert the warriors that were posted as lookouts. “Remember do not tell the men that you saw me or Yaa, if you do our lives will be put in danger. Tell them only that you stumbled upon them and you seek your husband Roark.”
Star Feather smiled as the boy spoke to her. He would make a fine warrior himself one day and this she told him as she smoothed his hair once again and lightly touched his forehead. She wasn’t sure that they would ever see each other again and so she said the first thing that came to mind. “Your mother would be proud of you, young Giad.”
As the boy bowed his head in acknowledgement she shifted her pack upon her shoulders and started on her way in the direction he had pointed out to her. Giad took one final look at Star Feather as she glanced back, memorizing her face, rounded cheeks with high cheekbones, eyes that were slanted with lashes that were silky black, she walked with a warm smile upon her lips as she looked back at him with thanksgiving.
He did not wish to risk his life, but he would watch for her until she was once again with her husband. He had warned Yaa that he might be a long while and she must wait for him no matter how tired she became. Carefully he followed behind her, blending into the woods that sheltered him from sight.
Star Feather hummed to herself and the baby as she walked, thinking only of what joy lay ahead. Surely she should not think about the warnings that Giad had given her, as if her husband would allow any danger to come to her. She did not think he would be pleased to have her join him, perhaps he would be slightly embarrassed that his wife would dare come where only men were allowed to tread. But she was foreign to these people and often did things that were not “accepted” by all. Her husband was ever forgiving and kind to her. After all he needed to know that the island of Hetmos was devastated and the village of Aztlan was no more.
As she walked she began to sense that she was being watched and her footsteps slowed until she stopped. Her heart began to thump in her chest and the baby began to fret, sensing her discomfort, still she told herself that there was nothing to fear. She was not a woman prone to fancies and she knew that once she found her husband he would protect her and their son. Calling out, she announced herself, her voice came out as more of a squeak than a loud call and she tried again.
She felt fear sieze her heart as two great shadows descended, falling to her left and to her right. Star Feather stumbled backwards, nearly slipping in her panic until she recognized the men as two of the warriors of her husband’s band. Before she could speak they seized her, grabbing hold of her arms with brutal strength they dragged her through the trees and into a small clearing where despite her protests they forced her to kneel. Everything happened so quickly that Star Feather could do nothing but protect the baby that cried at her breast by curling her body around him.
She continued to yell for her husband telling the men again and again that she was the wife of Roark, honored warrior of the Hetmos people. The men jerked her to her feet at a command from their leader whom she recognized as Marad. She shuddered with revulsion as he stared openly at her, not even honoring her with the respect due a warrior’s wife by averting his gaze once he had met her eyes.
She felt open and exposed to this man, who led her husband and the others, but she would not allow herself to cower. Shaking off the hands of the two men that had seized her she stood to her full height and looked the man in the eye.
“I come seeking my husband Roark.” Star Feather spoke softly, directing her softly accented voice to Marad.
Marad stood with his arms folded, staring coldly at her and her child as if they were worth less than nothing. “How is it that you found our camp?” Marad asked suspiciously, openly staring at the woman standing so proudly before him as the implication of his words hit her she proudly lifted her chin as she held his gaze. He thought of how similar she was in height and coloring to the Ada’na and realized his men may have even thought that they had captured the prize they all sought.
“I merely stumbled upon it in my search for my husband.” Star Feather spoke slowly still unfamiliar with the language. Giad’s warning rose in her mind, but she tucked it firmly away; Marad would not dare hurt her or her child. She looked around for her husband, unable to stop herself from doing so, seeking only the protection that he offered. She saw only more warriors, some painted from head to toe in war paints. She shudd
ered in revulsion, unable to stop herself and when she looked again at Marad she saw that he was aroused by her fear. Quickly she covered it over by speaking.
“Where is my husband?” She asked quietly, holding Marad’s gaze.
“He is out hunting. It seems he did not know that his pretty little wife would be joining us. And what have you brought? Meat for us to eat? Water for us to drink?” He asked, his tone mocking. Star covered her hands protectively over her son, even as he began to wail as if he too sensed danger.
“I bring only a few supplies and my son.” She said carefully, weighing her words carefully.
Marad moved forward so quickly that she did not have a second to react.
“I do not see a son of the people,” Marad spoke in a mocking voice, “I see some Halfling, a boy child half people and half you.” He spat the words as if he could not stand the taste of them in his mouth. Star Feather flinched as he pulled the covering from her arms, baring her child to his leering stare. She knew that her breasts were bare to his gaze and while it was not uncommon for a nursing mother to go about bare breasted she felt shame as he stared at her. Her son began to wail in earnest and Star Feather did her best to quiet him.
“How do I know that you are the wife of Roark?” Marad said accusingly, “You could be anyone!”
Star Feather did not take the bait, she knew that he was trying to goad a response from her and she could not fathom why he would do so. She waited patiently, patting her son on the back as his cries finally ceased. She refused to make eye contact with Marad, sensing his growing lust whenever she showed fear and Star Feather was very afraid, more afraid than she had ever been in her life. Now she wished that she had listened to the little boy Giad, he had tried to warn her. He had gone so far as to give advice when she had not asked for it. She should have listened, silently she began to pray, perhaps her prayers would be answered and no harm would come to her or her son.
Marad stared at the woman noticing that she was good to look at and it did not seem fair to him that Roark was allowed to enjoy such a beautiful woman. She still had some of the roundness of pregnancy upon her cheeks and hips, her breasts were lush and full and her hair was slightly longer than their village allowed due to her pregnancy. Pregnant women were not allowed to take shears to their hair until after the birthing of a healthy child.
Her eyes were slanted more sharply than the women of their village and while her features were slightly different, she was indeed beautiful. Perfection. Marad looked at the woman standing before him without fear and realized that her bearing reminded him slightly of the Ada’na, the woman who was rightfully his. He felt a surge of lust as he thought of taking such a woman for his own.
“Perhaps Roark will not mind, if I share his wife’s favors while he is away, as leader it is my right.” Marad spoke directly to the woman though she did not lift her eyes or acknowledge him. He gestured for his men to take the child from the woman and only then did she turn to flee. Grabbing her by her hair he held her fast while his men snatched the wailing child from her arms. Star Feather thought only of her son as she allowed him to be taken from her arms, she began pleading for her child’s life as she realized what was happening.
The man who held her child looked at her with cold eyes, holding her son only by the blankets that he was wrapped in and if her child should slip out or fall she knew he would be severely injured. Crying now, unable to stop the tears she watched as the man turned his back to her, carrying her son away. Marad released her hair when he felt her slump in defeat, now grasping her arm and forcing her to the ground. He meant to take her here in front of his men, Star Feather felt as if she were not in her own body, perhaps this was only a bad dream from which she would awake, safe in the arms of her husband.
Suddenly she screamed, bucking and kicking as Marad fought her, she was no match for his superior strength but still she fought. She was a wife, she was a mother and they had taken her child as if he meant nothing, as if she meant nothing! Star Feather screamed her husband’s name louder than she had ever screamed in her life. From somewhere above her she heard a shout and then she felt Marad’s weight lifted from her.
Star Feather immediately scrambled to her feet, even though she had suffered a blow to the back of her head that had her seeing double, she forced herself to stand, looking around for the person that had been brave enough to save her. Her heart soared as she took in the broad back of her husband who shielded her now with his own body, putting himself between her and Marad.
Roark felt his chest heaving; it seemed as if he could not get air into his lungs fast enough. Marad stood before him wild eyed with his hand on his knife, staring at Roark with hatred etched on his face. Roark stood waiting and ready. He knew if this man challenged him all of his brother warriors would have no choice except to stand behind their leader. He willed his wife to remain silent and somehow Star Feather heeded him, though he had not spoken to her. She seemed to sense the danger that they were now facing.
“What goes on here Roark?” Marad fairly shouted the words in the man’s face, spittle flying through the air.
“I seek only to protect my wife.” Roark was surprised that his voice did not shake with pent up fury and he was surprised that he did not yell at the man with all the rage that seethed inside of him.
“This woman?” Marad laughed now, “You call this woman wife?”
“Everyone knows that Star Feather is my wife. Everyone knows that the child is my son.” Roark did not take his eyes off of Marad, instead he called to the warrior that held his child demanding that he return his son to his wife.
“I sought only to have a leader’s rights over a camp wife.” Marad said evenly, calming himself as he saw that his men were behind him. They were all missing their women and wives, eager for what the woman could offer to them. He purposely referred to the woman as a camp wife, knowing that in their village, if a wife decided to follow her husband on hunting trips she would offer herself to the other men until they could return home.
“She is not a camp wife and this is not a hunting trip.” Again Roark spoke softly, not allowing Marad to goad him into a confrontation.
“Is it not? Were you not off hunting for food? Are we not out hunting for the Ada’na of the People?” Marad spoke sensibly as if Roark were the one that was confused.
“Even if this were a hunting trip, you would first need my permission to seek the favors of my wife.” Roark knew that he had erred by speaking to quickly and he cursed himself when Marad next spoke.
“Your permission? Since when does a war leader need a husband’s permission? Everyone knows that if a camp wife is present it is only her permission that is needed.”
“I will not argue with you Marad, this is my wife, she did not give her consent and she is not a camp wife.” Roark hoped that these words would settle the matter.
“I am your leader, of course you will not argue with me. I will take what is mine to claim.” Marad made a motion for Roark to step aside. Roark felt his wife tremble as she clung to his back, perhaps she thought that he would actually allow Marad to have her, well she was mistaken and so was Marad.
If not for the village runner Giad, he would have never made it here in time to save his wife from the dishonor that Marad sought to pay her. When he saw the leering glances of the men that he had called brother, he felt bile rise in his throat. Taking a calming breath he gently pushed his wife to the side.
“I will not allow you to dishonor my wife.” Roark spoke softly, so softly that Marad at first could not make out his words. But when he saw that Roark stood firm, unwilling to stand aside, a dark cloud of rage billowed up from his soul.
“Then you are banished, cast out! No man who will not share with his leader and brother will be given the honored position of Hetmos warrior. No man who would put a woman over his brother may call himself a part of our band.” Marad’s voice rang out over the encampment of men and he could hear their excited murmuring and whispers.
Roark reeled as if he had been struck a blow and he heard his wife gasp at his side. Grasping her by the hand he walked to the man that held his son so carelessly and with one hand he claimed what was his, daring the man with his eyes to resist. Keeping his face to Marad he spoke softly.
“There is no reason to banish me, no reason to call me outcast, for with my life I will protect my family. Never again will I call you brother;” Roark fairly spat the word, “Never again will I call you leader! From this day forward I name you enemy!” Gathering his pack quickly and motioning for his wife to do the same with hers he backed out of camp, giving the child over to his wife, keeping his spear in his hand as he faced the men that had called him brother for the last time.
Marad watched them go. He would allow them to get a few paces ahead before he hunted them down like dogs and killed them both. It would only increase the intensity of the hunt.
Chapter Thirteen
Star Feather stumbled as Roark rushed her through the woods. He had not spoken to her, but by his grasp on her hand she could tell that the confrontation was far from over.
“Giad.” Roark spoke in a harsh whisper, emotion clouding his voice. The boy appeared from the forest and Star Feather realized that he had been tracking them even as they rushed from the warrior’s encampment.
“Honored warrior.” Giad bowed his head humbly, waiting for the man to speak.
“Giad later, I will thank you for saving my wife today. Later I will give praise for such an honored son of the People, but for now, we have only moments before they are upon us. Get your sister and come with us now if you wish to be spared.”
Keeper of the People (Book One) Page 16