Giad whistled softly and Yaa showed herself, appearing by his side as if she had always been there. Star Feather gasped softly, she had not expected the little girl to be hiding so close by where they stood. It occurred to her that Roark knew of Giad, but she could not imagine how he had returned for his sister so swiftly. She noticed that Giad was panting quietly, steadying his breathing even as he stood with eyes wide as he waited for Roark’s command.
“We seek the Ada’na.” Giad spoke quickly, “Not so that we can lead Marad to her, but so that we can join her. The village of Aztlan is no more.”
“Is this true wife?” Roark finally addressed Star Feather who only nodded her head in agreement. She would explain later, “Most were killed by the great mountain on the island, very few survived. This is why I came to join you, husband.” Star Feather wanted to tell him everything but for now she sought only to get away from the man that had wished to humiliate and rape her.
“We will follow the trail of the Ada’na. We have good fortune, for I know which way she has gone. Now this is what we must do.” Leaning close he spoke rapidly to Giad and Yaa telling them of his plan.
Marad gathered his men together and when the air was charged with anticipation he spoke.
“Never let it be said that the warriors of Hetmos did not stand together as brothers! Never let it be said that we do not honor the brotherhood of the warrior. Roark has dishonored this brotherhood and Roark has dishonored each of you with his selfishness.”
“Stand now, all those who would hunt Roark down like the dog that he has become and cut him down where he stands.” Marad watched in expectant silence as all of his men stood, raising their hunting spears above their heads, shouting their agreement. Raising his voice above all others Marad held out the ultimate prize.
“To the man that brings me Roark’s head and the body of his son I will give his wife as a slave to your hearth!” The men shouted with renewed zeal waiting only for their leader to give them the signal before sprinting off into the surrounding forest after the man and his wife.
Roark did not know how much time he had, but it would have to be enough to set a false trail and meet his wife and the children at the cave. He made quick work of laying a false trail, making it end at a sheer cliff, hoping to confuse those who pursued them. Taking his wife’s cloak which was dyed a rich red he flung this over the cliff, watching as it dropped hundreds of feet to the ground below. Let them think what they would; he hoped that it would confuse them enough to give him time to get away. If not, all would be lost.
Giad led Yaa and Star Feather back to the cave that they had discovered only a few days before. This was where Marad had lost the trail of the Ada’na. Giad had never expected Roark to stand against his blood brother Marad, but having witnessed him doing just that Roark had earned Giad’s trust. Remembering how he had watched Star Feather until she was led away by Marad’s men and then sprinted off after Roark by studying the trails around him and seeing evidence of the man’s passing.
Though Roark wore a common size moccasin his footsteps were easily identifiable to Giad. His wife had laced bears claws to the toe of each boot, so that each of Roarks’s steps made an indentation unmistakable from others. Giad should know the shape of Roark’s steps because he had followed the man like a shadow while in the warrior’s camp.
Roark had been the only one to watch out for Giad, making sure that the other men did not treat him too roughly, checking to see that he was as well fed as possible and well rested. Giad had not known what to make of the man’s kindness. Certainly his father had not paid Giad as much attention in his entire lifetime as Roark had displayed in just a few short days of travel. Giad’s response had been to follow the man so closely that at times Roark had actually stepped on him if he turned too quickly or shifted his stance without warning. Instead of being upset, Roark would ruffle the boy’s hair in affection and cuff him lightly on the back.
Giad felt panic take hold of him as he doubted what his instincts told him was real. The Ada’na had somehow escaped through a secret cavern inside of this cave. Roark believed the same thing as Giad, after carefully searching the cave they needed only to find the cavern. Giad feared for his safety, but mostly he feared for Yaa and he had to trust Roark to help them all. Still, any man that would run as hard and as fast as Roark had when Giad found him on the trail, loved his wife and would make sure that she was safe and protected.
Giad quickly explained that Star Feather walked into camp hoping to find her husband. He then watched in astonishment as the man had commanded him to wait where he stood and took off at a sprint that would have even made Yaa’s mouth fall open in astonishment. Giad knew that danger was afoot and instead of heeding Roark’s words he had taken off in the other direction making his way back to Yaa, whistling as he drew close and then turning to run as soon as she had answered him with a return whistle. It was a game that they had created, teaching each other how to follow in the woods without having to see one another. When Giad reached the spot that he marked to meet Roark he let out three successive whistles that told Yaa to come closer and hide. His sister followed his instructions as if her life depended on it. He would have to find some way to reward her in the future, if they made it through this day.
Giad made his way deeper into the cave, scouting it out first for animals, before returning to retrieve Yaa and Star Feather. He carefully hid their trail as Roark had instructed him to do before entering the cave for the final time. Star Feather kept the baby at her breast, thankful that he was willing to nurse and keep quiet. Yaa stood shaking beside her and she did her best to pull her close and give her the comfort of her touch if not reassuring words. Giad asked them not to speak at all and Star Feather agreed, though she did not know if she could even find her voice if needed.
Yaa stood close to Star Feather, it was very dark in the cave, but the scents of the woman and baby were reassuring. In the silence she could hear the quiet sucking of Star Feather’s baby and it comforted her. Her brother stood in front of her and this also reassured her. Giad had always kept his promises and she believed him when he said they would be safe if they listened to the big warrior with the tattoos on his face. Yaa was frightened of him, but she did not say as much to Giad, she could tell that her brother trusted the man and that was enough for her.
It was not so much anything that Roark had done or said, but his size and the designs that were tattooed upon his face made him look fierce and foreboding. He was one of the tallest men of their band and solidly built with muscles that defined him as a warrior, even without his spear or knife. Still he had never said a mean word to Yaa and Giad looked upon him with favor and so she decided to reserve judgment for now.
As Roark approached the cave he saw no sign of his wife or the children. A part of him began to fear that he was too late and they had been set upon by Marad and his men, until he thought further of how adept Giad had become at reading trails. If the lad could read a trail properly, as he had proven that he could, then he could certainly erase a trail with the same skill. This settled Roark’s heart back into a more natural rhythm and he made a call of the sparrow as he approached. He heard an answering call and made his way quickly into the cave.
Yaa could see nothing in the darkness and when Roark appeared in front of them she nearly screamed. However, her brother covered her mouth just as she inhaled and she realized that he did not fear the man in front of them. Star Feather sighed as she felt the reassuring touch of her husband and laid her hand upon his chest.
Speaking quietly Roark explained that he had discovered the Ada’na’s secret and knew how to escape from the cave. He wasn’t sure where the passage led, but it was obvious that it went somewhere safe, because the woman had not returned, and she had made her way with the older girl, a small child and the trader. If she could do it then so could they. The only problem was that it was pitch black so far back in the cave and they could not see. Roark spoke to Giad and explained that he too believed
that the Ada’na had taken a secret exit from this cave. Giad confirmed that he had found the exit at the back of the cave by accident a few days ago. He explained sheepishly that he had not told Marad because he was hoping to buy time for rest before continuing on their hunt for the Ada’na.
“We will have to find the exit quickly.” Roark whispered, “Everyone must look, it is in this back wall somewhere.” He knelt beside Yaa and whispered in her ear and when she nodded, he lifted her up high and she began patting at the place where the ceiling and the wall met. “I don’t see any holes.” Yaa whispered back a little too loudly. It was the first time she had used her voice since trying to warn her father of the crater that opened up beneath him. Words felt foreign on her tongue, but she was glad that her voice was back.
“Is it cold, do you feel wind blowing?” Roark wished that he were tall enough to see for himself, but the little girl would have to do this for them.
“Yes, I feel wind, right here!” Yaa exclaimed with excitement and as she tapped on the rock it fell inward behind the wall where they stood. She relayed the information and everyone began telling her to push and so she did, pushing in one rock after another until there was a space large enough to fit through.
Without being asked Yaa stood upon Roark’s shoulders and made her way through the hole. She was adept at climbing but the rocks were slippery, instead of climbing down the other side of the wall she slid down, landing solidly on her feet. It was still pitch black but from the wind that lifted her hair and fanned it around her head she knew that they had found the tunnel.
The others quickly passed through, yet it was Roark who had the hardest time of all. He first packed the sand down so that their footsteps didn’t show, he was quite sure that Marad would come back to this cave and this time with torchlight. Then he used the adjoining wall to climb up and over.
Quickly he and Giad began packing the wall with mud and stones, sealing the entrance to the tunnel. They made quick work of it. Roark even lifted Giad onto his shoulders, to check to make sure there were no holes. He did not want their passage discovered, but still a part of him knew that Marad would not be tricked twice. He admonished everyone to join hands creating a chain so that they would be able to follow one another and he started to lead them into the pitch black recesses of the tunnel.
As Roark led the way he silently hoped for the strength to see this through. He wasn’t sure where this tunnel ended or how long they would be closed into the belly of the world. He could tell that they were descending, but because they walked in darkness he could not tell which direction or even if the tunnel dropped off suddenly in front of them. He felt each ahead of him with his spear before carefully taking the next footstep.
Finally when they were far enough away from the tunnel entrance he asked Giad to light the torch that he had prepared. Roark started a small fire and Giad quickly set the torch ablaze, handing it over to Roark who once again took the lead this time grateful to be able to see where he was going. The passage way was not very wide and it only offered about two paces across. The cave narrowed often so that he had to squeeze through, taking his pack off in some areas. Because of the light they were now able to make much better time, but still he held fast to his wife’s hand. Finally as exhaustion took them he allowed a short rest.
Star Feather sat with her back against the cave wall thankful for the rest, as she put her hand down she discovered a ragged cloth that was soaked with water and she used this after wringing it several times to wipe her forehead and face. She was more exhausted than she had ever been before but she dared not complain.
Roark was finally able to see to his wife in the flickering light of the torch which he had wedged between two rocks, allowing his hands to remain free. Her eyes were dull, without the gentle spark that was usually there when he looked at her. Star Feather could not summon up the energy to wince as her husband touched the bruise at the back of her head where Marad had struck her. She cared only for the well being of her child and taking advantage of the light she unwrapped him and touched his chubby little body making sure that he was unharmed.
Roark watched his wife tend to their child and he sighed as he allowed himself one moment of contentment. He pulled her close to him, cradling them both in the circle of his arms and together they whispered of their love. Star Feather assured Roark that Marad had not harmed her, had not succeeded in his attempt to possess her, and when she at last withdrew from her husband’s arms some of the light had come back into her eyes and she felt better.
Yaa and Giad had never seen adults behave the way that Roark and Star Feather did. It was different between their father and his wife. Never had they expressed endearments or concern for the other’s wellbeing. Yaa watched Roark and Star Feather with wide eyes taking in every word and every movement. Giad felt embarrassed by such an open display of affection, but still a part of him also felt a yearning.
As if Roark sensed their perusal he stood and walked to where Yaa and Giad were seated. Giad stood expectantly and when Roark embraced him and gave him a hug that was surely meant to crush Giad in two the boy felt tears sting his eyes. He lowered his face and was thankful for the dim lighting which hid his features in shadows.
“You are surely a son among sons.” Roark spoke gruffly, unable to put into words the appreciation that he felt for Giad.
“I did nothing.” Giad said with a self deprecating tone. “I tried to warn her and I could not make her listen.”
“You did everything possible to protect my wife, even going as far as to find me so that I could save her from what Marad planned.” Roark ruffled the boy’s hair in affection and cuffed him lightly on the back. He knew that Giad had probably witnessed nothing of what happened to Star Feather, but the boy seemed to understand that Marad had bad intentions towards his wife.
“I do not know. I did only what I could.” Giad said helplessly, unused to so much praise.
“You did enough,” Roark said before he gently pounded Giad on his back in appreciation, “You did enough.”
Before returning to his wife, he knelt beside Giad’s sister. He noticed that the little girl averted her eyes, looking at her brother who stood where Roark had left him.
“You must be a brave girl, little one.” Roark waited and when she made no reply he said, “Not only did you hide when your brother asked, but you listened to everything that he asked of you.”
Roark touched Yaa’s cheek softly with one finger, “You even helped us to find the tunnel entrance and without that we would have been lost. One day I will honor you and your brother.” With that he touched her hair lightly so as not to startle her and left her staring with wide eyes at his back. Star Feather was once again ready to travel and when she stood, she noticed that Yaa and Giad also made ready to move on, taking their cue from her. She smiled at them both and waited for Roark who once again started off down the tunnel leading them ever deeper into the bowels of the world.
The Hetmos Warriors
Marad had never felt so disgusted with himself or his men. How was it that Roark had eluded them? He had set his best trackers after them and they had returned with empty hands and empty words. It did not seem possible that Roark could have gotten far away with a wife and child at his heels. Surely they were hiding nearby and Marad would not allow the men to sleep or eat until they found them. The men left again to search and this time Marad joined them. Shortly they came to the cliff that one of his men claimed Roark had jumped from in an attempt to flee the wrath of his leader.
Yet Marad could not believe that Roark would take his life and the life of his wife and child. The men backtracked and again searched the area, but by this time so many had trampled through the forest that there was no sign of the fugitives.
Marad followed the lead of his best tracker, a man slightly less skilled than Roark until they were once again at the cave that was hidden behind a small waterfall. The man told him that it was possible that Roark had hidden his trail and he had seen some sm
all sign that pointed him in this direction. Marad did not know what to believe, he knew that Roark had not simply disappeared, and here he was at the same cave that he had followed the Ada’na to as well.
There was something that he was missing and he didn’t know what it was. The light was fading fast and darkness was soon upon them, making any attempts at a search futile. He ordered his men to stand watch at the cave and had the others split up to lay in wait for anyone that sought to escape during the night. He would not be fooled and he would not be made a fool of by a man such as Roark.
He would find the man and when he did he would keep him alive just long enough for him to suffer through the deaths of his wife and child. Marad smiled to himself, tingling with anticipation. Finally his thoughts drifted back to the boy that he had sent to find Sirion. Surely he should have returned by now. Though it was already dark he summoned one of the eager young men forward offering the boy a choice portion of the stew that was cooking over the fire pit. Once the boy had devoured a bowl and sated some of his hunger Marad instructed him to return home, find Sirion and return with her reply to his questions. Eager to do his leader’s bidding the boy took off at a dead run, not even bothering to gather his belongings first. Marad hoped that the boy Giad had died on his trip back to Aztlan, because if not, he would not like what Marad planned to do to him upon finding him alive.
Chapter Fourteen
It had been two days that they had walked, continuing on through the passage that seemed never to have an end. Roark had allowed only a few hands of time each day for sleeping and resting. He felt the instinctive need to survive take over and this gave him the strength to continue through the tunnel. The constant walking was taking its toll on Star Feather. It seemed that the events of the past few days had stretched her resources thin. She had little energy and her head still bothered her, aching fiercely.
Keeper of the People (Book One) Page 17