Taikiuu signed more slowly to Jon’lan and he grasped her meaning and repeated aloud “She says that your milk may not be healthy for the baby since you have just now overcome an illness.”
Star Feather held her squirming son and even now she felt dizzy where she lay, but she did not understand how her milk could make the baby sick. Still in their village the Ada’na was revered by all, she could not feed her son until this woman allowed her to do so. Even now she felt her breast swell at her son’s tearful cry and her body responded with the urge to release her milk.
Taikiuu signed to Kii after realizing that the girl stood behind her. “Please Star Feather, I speak for Taikiuu, she asked that you wait until you are well before feeding your son.” Kii spoke softly realizing that this was a delicate thing. What mother would allow her son to go hungry when there was milk available for him to drink? Kii did not understand why her mother wanted the woman to wait before feeding the child, but she trusted her and knew that she would not harm another. Roark fumed silently as he looked at both Jon’lan and Taikiuu. How could this woman suggest that his wife not feed their son?
Taikiuu realized that the baby had not eaten since early in the afternoon and even now his screams echoed off the cave walls but she could not allow the child to drink his mother’s milk. She motioned that Star Feather should hand her the child and she was surprised when the woman hesitated and finally relented.
Taikiuu immediately handed the baby to Yaa motioning that she should walk with him. She quickly mixed a little warm water with sugar cane, hoping that this would ease the boy’s hunger until his mother was well enough to feed him. At her request Yaa brought the child to her and she dribbled small amounts of the water mixture into his mouth.
At first he sputtered and fought, but eventually as her thumb coaxed his lips to drink he began to suck greedily taking in the liquid. Taikiuu fed the baby just enough to ease his hunger and gently rocked him to sleep. All was quiet in the cave as everyone looked on. She handed the baby again to Yaa who sat at her side.
Leaning close to Star Feather she directed the woman with gestures to release her milk. Star Feather massaged her sore breast with heated cloth until her milk began to flow and Taikiuu helped her to clean up. Taking the cloths that were soaked with milk Taikiuu burned them in the fire even as Star Feather watched her. All was silent behind her and she felt the eyes of her family and the newcomers on her back until she left the cave to go wash in the icy river below.
Jon’lan met Roark’s eyes without flinching; he could see that the man was furious that his wife had not been allowed to nurse her son.
“My wife would not harm your child.” Jon’lan told them both for even in Star Feather’s weakened condition her eyes were accusing.
“She would not allow me to nurse my son and yet you say she would not harm him?” Star Feather asked, although her voice was gentle. She knew that the Ada’na was revered and she did not wish to be disrespectful.
“Taikiuu says that your milk would harm the baby, she is a healer and she would know these things.” Jon’lan staunchly defended his wife. He had noticed the flicker of uncertainty that crossed Taikiuu’s face as she prevented the woman from nursing. Yet, it was the defeated set of her shoulders as she left the cavern was enough to force him into action.
“I am going now. I will return, I ask only that you remember the warning of the Ada’na until our return. If your child becomes sick by your actions, it will be on your hands.” Jon’lan’s words came out more forcefully than he wanted them to and he could see by the look on Roark’s face that he had perhaps gone too far. To soften the words he said, “I ask only that you wait for our return.”
Roark nodded at Jon’lan which was as good as giving his word. Roark heard his wife gasp beside him and he saw her concern written plainly in her eyes. He squeezed her hand asking silently for patience on her part. Their son slept in the comfort of Yaa’s arms and for now it would have to be enough.
Anaay stood at the back of the cave; he wanted to stay as far away from the sick woman as possible. Her illness was too much like the sickness that had affected his own people before he left this place so many seasons ago. Kii saw that he was upset, but she did not know how to speak to him. Still, she approached carefully and asked him directly, “What bothers you?”
Anaay looked at her and could not find the words in her language. Finally he spoke, “This sickness, it is the same as my own people. It is the same.”
Kii was taken aback, she remembered his story and she remembered that many, if not all, of the women had died because of the illness. Kii’s thoughts raced but she quieted her mind as she saw Anaay shudder. She could only imagine the memories that returned to him with each passing moment but perhaps she could say something that would make him feel better.
“Anaay, if this is the same illness then we must tell mother and father quickly. Don’t you see? It proves that mother was right not to allow the woman to nurse her baby. You must go, tell my mother what you remember.” Kii watched him expectantly, it seemed that her words took a few seconds to become clear to Anaay and then he brightened visibly. Kii had given him a way to leave the cave without seeming rude to their visitors and she had also given him the responsibility of relaying an important message to Taikiuu and Jon’lan.
Jon’lan found his wife bathing in the river below when she saw him she left the water and her face brightened making him glad that he had followed her. He spoke no words, only gathered her soaking wet body in his arms and held her to him. Finally he said, “You did the right thing.”
She signed to him, “I do not know, it seemed right at the time, but what if I am mistaken?”
“The child is sleeping and this will give us time to figure out the right path to choose. But you are a healer and you must have faith in your own instincts. There were many times that I doubted myself when I shouldn’t have. I believe this is one of those times for you.” Jon’lan waited patiently for Taikiuu to respond to his words.
Taikiuu wanted to believe that she had made the right choice but she was unsure. It had seemed wrong to her that the woman should nurse the baby while she burned with fever. Still, she could not say why she felt this way. It was only her intuition, something that warned her from deep inside that this would be a bad thing. They both heard the footsteps of someone approaching and they turned as one as Anaay revealed himself. Taikiuu and Jon’lan both smiled as they realized that he had purposely made his approach known so that they would hear him well in advance. This was customary with a newly wedded couple in many villages and Taikiuu was not surprised that Anaay was aware of the custom.
“I am sorry to interrupt you.” Anaay was glad that he had found them quickly but now as he faced them he was at a loss for words. He looked at Jon’lan who seemed to sense his distress and said, “It is no interruption, please tell us why you have come?”
“It is the sickness, this sickness if very much like the thing that killed the women of my village.” Anaay spoke softly as if in fear that someone would hear him and make his words come true.
Taikiuu was startled at his words and then she realized that this was why she had not allowed the woman to nurse her son. Jon’lan asked the question for her, “Who died exactly Anaay? Was it only the women or where others affected?”
Anaay thought back to the time of sickness that had overtaken his people. He realized that perhaps others had perished with the illness but at the time it seemed that the women were affected first and then the children and babies. He said as much to Jon’lan and Taikiuu waiting eagerly for their response.
“I have not heard of such an illness in all of my travels, but if it is the same thing, how did the woman get it and none of the others become ill?” Jon’lan did not expect Anaay to answer and so he was surprised when he did.
“Some became sick and like me they recovered, but our healer suggested that we burn the clothes of all that came in contact with a sick person.” Anaay struggled to remember more and
Taikiuu nodded for she had also been taught to burn the clothing and any items the sick person came into contact with.
Anaay continued, “But I was the only one to disobey the healer, when I left I was burning with fever, I did not expect to live and the clothing that I had on I stripped from my body as I burned with fever. Those clothes I left in the cave, perhaps she came into contact with them.”
Anaay hated himself more than he ever had before at that moment, but the feeling passed quickly when Jon’lan placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You could not have known and it’s possible that Star Feather came into contact with the sickness in some other way. Still we must take measures to prevent the spread of the illness. Taikiuu what do you suggest?” Jon’lan turned to his wife bringing her into their circle as he awaited her response.
“Burn.” She said simply and looked to Jon’lan for his approval. He simply nodded, patting Anaay on the back and bring his wife close as they turned as one to return home.
As the three entered the cave Jon’lan could sense the tension surrounding Roark and his wife. The children sat close to Kii as she tried her best to hold their attention by telling string stories. Mar-ee laughed in glee when Kii made the shape of Rhea by string. Giad and Yaa were delighted as well and the big cat sat at their side playing with the left over string. Mar-ee was laid comfortably upon the cat’s back and even as Rhea pawed at the string she was careful not to dislodge Mar-ee. Taikiuu did not want to break up such a cheerful sight, but it was important that the children wash as quickly as possible. She approached with Jon’lan at her back and sensing her presence Kii stopped in the middle of her story. For a moment Kii could only see her mother as the Ada’na, revered Healer, Keeper of Secrets, but as Taikiuu’s face broke into a warm smile Kii once again saw the face of her mother and breathed easier.
“Children come.” Taikiuu called to them and smiled when they came toward her, “We must wash.”
Along with her words Taikiuu signed to Kii that they must all bathe in the river. Kii immediately stood ushering Giad and Yaa forward, she was careful to scoop Mar-ee up on the way although Rhea growled at her departure. Jon’lan turned to find Roark standing at his side and he spoke quickly, “We realize that the river is cold, but this sickness that your wife has can spread. Everything must be burned and made new. The children must bathe and so should we.”
Roark took this information in while reading the truth in the man’s eyes. If the Ada’na believed that they would all grow sick because of his wife’s illness then he trusted her enough to follow her instructions.
He would not put his son’s life at risk and he started to question Jon’lan but stopped when he felt a light touch on his shoulder. He turned and the Ada’na stood behind him much to his surprise. It was very rare that a person could come up behind the Roark without his knowledge.
He bowed his head to her in acknowledgement and waited for her to speak. She only raised her hand and made a gesture and the young man that was called Anaay came forward.
“I must tell you the story of my village so that you and your wife might better understand this illness. Please come and sit beside me at the fire while I tell you of these things.” Anaay gestured towards Star Feather and without waiting he walked toward her. Roark could do nothing except follow the young man yet all the while he was thinking of the irony of Anaay’s name which meant “He who leads many”.
Chapter Nineteen
Jon’lan and Taikiuu took their places nearby while Anaay spoke of the destruction that had come to his village. It was a sickness that brought fever and death, striking the women and men equally although more women died than men, followed by their children and babies. He told of how the people grew weak with hunger and finally resorted to slaughtering and eating their own kind. He spoke of his banishment from his village under the threat of death from his own father and finally he told of the cave.
He looked at Star Feather as he said, “I was weak with fever and more hungry than I had ever known. I had gone many days without eating and I was seeing things that were not truly there. During one very bad day I envisioned that my clothes were on fire and I remember ripping them from my body until I was naked. Somehow I made my way out of the cave and into your land and there I lived for the comings and goings of four seasons until I found First Man and Woman.” Anaay indicated Jon’lan and Taikiuu as he spoke the last few words.
Star Feather listened closely and she could see the pain in the young man’s eyes as he talked of the women and children that had perished. She shuddered with the thought of what she might have inadvertently passed on to her child if not for the Ada’na.
Finally when all was quiet she said, “It is not a bad thing to have a child weaned early. Our son is now almost eight moons along and it is not unheard of for a baby to be given other foods at his age.”
“I thank you.” Taikiuu spoke in answer to Star Feather’s words and a friendship was forged where before there was none.
Jon’lan and Roark acknowledged each other with a nod and then Roark effortlessly lifted his wife into his arms. “It’s time to bathe.”
Jon’lan laughed heartily and looked at his wife as well motioning for her to follow, but not before slapping Anaay on the back and pushing him playfully ahead. Rhea watched her people leave and felt comforted by their relaxed manner. It seemed to her that they had each figured out their role in the pack and now things would go easier for them.
At a whistle from the dominant male Rhea took off to join them. Jon’lan whistled again sharply and was not surprised to see Rhea racing to meet him. The cat was a beautiful sight to behold as she jumped from rock to rock making her way down the steep incline of the cavern.
Finally she bounded over to him where he sat be the river’s edge and rubbed against his back while purring deep in her throat. Anaay for his part was not surprised that Rhea had taken to Jon’lan in such a way. He also felt affection for the man who viewed him as a valued son of his band, if not the son of his own hearth.
Anaay quickly piled his clothing with the others and ran eagerly into the stream to wash and scrub with the soapy root that Taikiuu provided. Soon their part of the river was alight with bubbles and though the water was cold it made for easy splashing with the little ones. Taikiuu and Kii fashioned grass loin coverings for the men and using string and grasses they were able to make quick work of coverings for themselves.
Mar-ee and Yaa begged to have their own chest coverings even though they were little girls and Taikiuu conceded. Star Feather was grateful for the offer of cover for herself, but it was easier to go around without anything until clothing could be made. Her breasts were still tender with the need to nurse. Taikiuu suggested warming the water by the fire first and then when it was lukewarm Roark bathed his son.
Finally as the sun began to set, they all warmed themselves by the grand fire. It seemed to Jon’lan that this was a good thing. They were shedding the items that they had worn in their old village and now they would make new ones in a new land. It was a good thing indeed.
Jon’lan was glad that his trading supplies and packs had not been touched since the sickness had come to their cave. He checked everything carefully and brought a few items forward as gifts. Roark pulled him aside as their clothing burned asking Jon’lan if they could join as one band. Jon’lan explained that it was his wish to take his wife and children home to the village of his parents but that if Roark wished to join him he and his family were welcome. Still, Jon’lan felt that a ceremony was needed to solidify the relationship. A large hearth fire had been built up by Anaay and Giad. The cave was warm and comfortable although outside the night had grown cold. Jon’lan approached and sat in his place beside Taikiuu and he signed to her that he wished to have a ceremony to welcome the others to their new band. She nodded, eager to welcome Star Feather as a sister to her fire and Roark as a brother.
Jon’lan waited until everyone had eaten their fill first thanking Taikiuu and Kii for the tasty
rabbit stew that they spent the evening preparing. Anaay worked the rabbit skins now eager to finish them so that he could begin fashioning clothing. He was not comfortable wearing only a grass loin cloth around Kii. Even as he worked he felt her eyes on him and forced himself not to redden in embarrassment. Jon’lan raised his hands high over his head and waited until he had everyone’s attention.
“In fear we fled here to this new land, hoping to escape those who would do us harm. In fear we made our first camp eager to be away from the tunnel that brought us to this beautiful land. But with proud hearts we now stand as a band of our own.” Kii could not stop herself from clapping her hands in joy as her father spoke. Mar-ee, who was always quick to imitate her sister, did the same.
Soon everyone who sat around the fire clapped in unison until once again Jon’lan raised his hands. “We ask this day that Roark, Star Feather, Giad, Yaa and their brother who has not been named, join our band as a family. If you are willing to be a brother, sisters, daughter and son say Aye!” All shouted a resounding “Aye!” that echoed off of the cavern walls long after they were finished.
“Then it is with these gifts,” Jon’lan continued, his heart overflowing with pride “Gifts from distant lands that I offer to you Roark as the head of your family and ask that you give them to your wife and three children.” Jon’lan handed Roark the many gifts that he had picked out for them among which were clothing for Roark and the children, along with two women’s knives and one knife for hunting and skinning, several arrows and two bows, two bracelets of rare stone for Yaa and Star Feather and one large stone. Each person exclaimed over the gifts and Star Feather expressed her delight in the beautiful bracelets for her and Yaa.
Keeper of the People (Book One) Page 22