“Many seasons ago our band was a great band with many women and children, more hunters than one band could imagine. Then suddenly we were overtaken by an illness similar to the one that touched your own band.” I’naram thought that it was convenient that Jon’lan’s women had become sick shortly before their arrival. Even now he could hear his son’s whispered words about the young girl that he planned to take as slave.
I’naram looked over at the two women who lay on their sleeping furs with the children and thought only of himself. Jon’lan read the man’s lust filled thoughts as they flitted across his leering face. It took most of his self control to keep from lashing out in defense of his band. It was his hope that the foreigners would move on in the morning and if they did not go then Jon’lan would pack up his wife and children, Star Feather and her children and take them far from this place, even if it meant abandoning the cavern that had become their temporary home. He would not risk returning to the cavern for their belongings. Better to leave with their lives.
“We have found that keeping the women and children separate from the rest of us has helped to keep the sickness at bay.”
“What of the young girl, not yet a woman, why did she not take ill?” I’naram asked even as his eyes settled on the sleeping form of Kii.
Jon’lan knew that the only reason Kii hadn’t been included in his wife’s proclamation of sickness was because of where she had been sitting when the foreigners arrived. Kii had been sitting away from everyone else and she was the picture of robust health. Taikiuu had hoped to provide an excuse so that the foreign women would not get too close; if she had included Kii then it would have been obvious that she lied.
“Who can say?” Jon’lan answered the man’s question with another question, hoping that this would settle the matter.
“Tell me of your first wife, the woman with the long hair.” I’naram spoke to Jon’lan as if he were a slave, someone beneath him that he could order around. A man did not ask about another man’s wife, it was disrespectful and rude in all cultures. Jon’lan simply looked at the man and said, “Which of these women have you taken as a wife?”
“All.” I’naram spoke the word slowly and then laughed at the shock that registered on Jon’lan’s face.
“Where are the children of your band?” Jon’lan asked carefully, thinking of the question Taikiuu had signed to him from across the distance.
“It was a hard winter for my band.” I’naram said the words without regret.
Jon’lan knew that often when a band faced starvation, the children were the last to be fed. He could not contain the feeling of dread that moved through him as he thought of his own children and what they might face at the hands of this vile man.
Jon’lan made the necessary excuses and took his leave, grateful to be away from the man’s presence. The evil that seethed from I’naram was enough to suffocate him and he could barely withstand the urge to run him through with his spear and think of the consequences later.
Anaay was immediately at Jon’lan’s side, “I cannot be sure, but I believe the man I’naram is my uncle.” He spoke softly so as not to be overheard.
“You cannot remember the face of your father’s brother?” Jon’lan had not meant to speak so sharply and he immediately laid his hand on Anaay’s shoulder in apology relieved when Anaay accepted the apology with a nod of his head.
“I was very young when I last saw him and full of sickness and hunger. I know only that he resembles my father. My uncle went by a different name if they are the same man. When I was a son of my father’s band, my uncle used the name was Rana, which means brother in my tongue.” Anaay spat on the ground in a display of contempt for the man.
“I see,” and even though Jon’lan already felt that he knew the answer he asked, “What type of man was your uncle?”
“He was a man that raped women and sacrificed the lives of little children when he was too weak to hunt.” Anaay spoke simply as if the words did not cause him any pain. But then through his teeth he said, “He is no relation to me, if so, then I curse my own blood. I thought that he was dead.”
Jon’lan was not surprised by the vehemence with which Anaay spoke but he did surprise himself with his own words, “I wish that it were so.”
Never had he imagined that he would wish for another man’s death. But at the thought of what this man was capable of doing to his wife and children he felt only rage.
“I must slip away and meet with Roark, he has kept himself hidden until now. You must see to it that I am not followed. Protect the women and children.” Jon’lan clasped arms with Anaay and quickly lost himself in the shadows of the forest. Rhea appeared beside Anaay and while the young man longed for her company he also needed someone to help guard the women and children. He simply whispered Mar-ee’s name and pointed, waiting until Rhea slunk away eager to return to her charges.
Kii did not sleep. She lay with her eyes almost closed but her mother had asked her to feign sleep. Taikiuu cuddled Mar-ee close to her and lay facing Kii, with her back to Star Feather who held both her son and Yaa close to her for warmth and comfort. Even now Taikiuu could feel Star Feather trembling as the woman tried to sleep.
Taikiuu also feared for her husband and children and if she were not careful she too would begin to tremble and shake. But she could not afford the luxury of fear, not when their lives were at stake. Taikiuu had been trained to endure many things from childhood on and so she was able to call to mind these teachings in order to remain calm, this was the way of the keeper of her people and she did not feel the burden that this would present to an ordinary woman.
She knew in her heart that she could no more be an ordinary woman than an eagle could be a fish in the river. But her mother’s heart feared for her children and though she did not show it outwardly she was very afraid inside.
The women had decided not to risk a fire during the night as they did not want to be openly visible to the others in their camp. They had taken to calling the people that had joined them “the others” because of the differences that were readily apparent to all. Not only were the newcomer’s fierce in appearance, but the women did not groom themselves at all.
Most were covered from head to toe in mud and Taikiuu had been surprised to see the women of the others run to the water’s edge to once again cake themselves with mud and grime. Mar-ee had run to her mother for comfort asking why the women were making themselves dirty instead of clean. Taikiuu did not have an answer for the women’s strange behavior. She held Mar-ee close and tried her best to distract her with other things.
Now as Taikiuu lay next to her daughter on a mat woven of grass, she wondered when she would have some sign from Jon’lan telling them what to do. It seemed best to let the man I’naram continue to think that they had more people living in the hills nearby, hunters who were gone only for a short while. Taikiuu new that I’naram would not go on believing this for long. What hunter would not return to his people to share in his bounty and be welcomed with much praise and song? I’naram would not be fooled for long of this Taikiuu was certain.
Taikiuu had not said as much to Kii, but the young girl knew that her mother feared for her safety. In the village of Aztlan on the island of Hetmos Taikiuu had often asked after the girl’s wellbeing. As a servant of the Ada’na Kii did not have to sleep at the hearth of the woman that owned her and was able to escape the leering gaze of the woman’s husband and sons.
Because the Ada’na might have needed her at any time she was made to sleep in front of Taikiuu’s Haik. In this way Kii had been able to sleep peacefully during the night, protected by the guards that dared not interfere with the Ada’na’s servant.
Even now Kii could remember very little of her early life from before her seventh season when she had been brought to Aztlan as a slave. At night when her soul was quiet and if she did not try overly hard she was still able to bring to mind the face of her birth mother. Other times she could remember snippets of instruction giv
en to her by her birth father. As time went by whenever Kii thought of the shadowy memory of her mother’s face it was often replaced with Taikiuu’s likeness.
Her new mother had done everything in her power to make certain that Kii was well fed and warm even while Kii was still only a slave. Taikiuu did not have much, but what she did have was shared first with her young servant. Kii had always expressed her gratitude, never in memory had she known such kindness and now the woman she had served had taken her in as a daughter. She understood her mother’s fear for her as she thought of the others that had intruded into their valley.
A young girl, almost a woman, was not safe around any men but her father and brothers. At this age Kii knew her power was strong and even now she remembered the looks from the young man that was called Chogan. When he cast his gaze on her she did not feel the delicious tingle that traveled down her spine whenever she found Anaay studying her.
She felt only revulsion and a shadow of fear that shamed her. She was the daughter of a great woman and as such it was her duty to bring honor to her family. Kii sought to imitate her mother in all ways and hoped only to make her proud that she had taken on a slave as a daughter.
As if her mother could sense her troubled thoughts she found her hand clasped in Taikiuu’s warm grasp. Her mother signed into her hand as there was no moon to see by and no fire to shed its light on their sleeping place. Kii concentrated very hard and the image of the signs that she could not see came to her mind. It was as if her mother had spoken aloud and her words were firm, “Fear not.”
Star Feather wished that she was more like the wise woman who lay at her back sharing her warmth for the night. She found that her thoughts were full of fear for Yaa and her sons. When Star Feather remembered the way the man called I’naram had looked at them as if they were worth less than nothing it caused her soul to shiver. She also feared for her husband Roark, knowing that if I’naram attempted to hurt any of them her husband would race to protect them. Star Feather also knew that if it came to a fight he would be overpowered for there were far too many hunters with I’naram’s band. For a short time she had thought that they were finally in a place that she could call home. But she knew that shortly things would come to a head and she must be ready for any eventuality. She wished only to be a mother and a wife. She wished only to live in peace with her family and to have good things to eat and a warm place to sleep. Was it too much that she hoped for? Already she had been blessed with so much and it seemed that just as she had begun to think that all was well calamity had fallen upon them.
Star Feather was reminded of the ebb and flow of life even as she thought of each season that came and went in its own time. These thoughts brought a sense of calm and her breathing slowed until her heartbeat was steady and even. Her hand settled upon the downy hair of her son’s head and she looked over at the shadowy figure of her son Giad, a boy that she had come to love as her own in such a short time.
She knew that her eldest son sat with his back to the women and a spear in hand, eager to help in protecting them from this new threat. Giad would be embarrassed to know that his mother appreciated his efforts but if it came down to it, she planned to fight for him, not the other way around. Giad had an entire life in front of him that had yet to be lived and Star Feather would not allow anyone to take that away from him, not if it was within her power to prevent such a thing.
Although since becoming a mother to a young boy she had learned a few things about male children and their pride. Using this newfound wisdom she resisted the motherly urge to ask him to stay at her side where she could keep an eye on him. Star Feather had simply nodded her head at her son’s proud words that told her he would protect them while they slept. She bit her lip and thanked him for keeping them safe during the night. Giad beamed at her with pride and stalked off to find the best place in which to watch over them.
Giad sat in the shadows with his back to the women and his eyes searching for any movement. Rhea growled a greeting to him and he was thankful for her warning because in the darkness he could not see her as she approached. Giad grunted softly and the big cat came to him brushing up against his shoulder as he rubbed her soft fur. Giad had become used to the cat’s presence in a very short time and now he wished that he had made better friends with her so that she would stay by his side throughout the night.
Rhea seemed to sense his need and she licked the side of his face with her rough tongue until he pushed her away. She sniffed him and then when he patted her on the back again she left, making her way towards the smell of her girl children. She found the woman that was called Taikiuu hovering over Mar-ee and the little girl seemed to be fast asleep.
Taikiuu’s eyes were wide open and watchful. Rhea licked her hand and walked around behind her to check on Yaa. The woman called Star Feather was also wide awake and Rhea wondered why these women were not sleeping. Still she checked on Yaa who was cuddled securely up against Star Feather and her little son with no name.
Rhea took her leave, deciding that it would be better to hunt now. Even at this distance she could smell the foreign people that had come to their valley without welcome. The foreigners scent held many things that were difficult to determine, but none smelled of the good, clean scent of her own band.
Anaay watched as Rhea once again approached and he seemed to sense her unrest but he did nothing to allay the cat’s anxiety. Rhea grunted deep in her throat and moved her big tail from side to side before starting out after the scent of Jon’lan. She hoped that he was on a late night hunt and even as she thought of this her stomach growled. She sped past Anaay who stood watching her as she raced after Jon’lan eager to assist him.
Chapter Twenty-Two
All was well at the camp where even now Kii lay without sleeping. Anaay knew this by the cat’s behavior. If she had sensed an immediate danger she would not have been so quick to make her displeasure known to Anaay or to follow after Jon’lan. Anaay once again made a half circle of the camp, keeping to the shadows of the trees. Because there was no moon he could not see Giad’s location, but every now and then he made the sound of the night owl and heard a return hoot. Anaay could not be sure where Giad was watching from, but he had asked the boy to stay close to the women and help him protect the camp.
He wondered what Jon’lan had in store for the others because surely they needed to make an escape soon. Anaay put those thoughts aside and slowed his steps, careful not to make any noise. His senses told him that he was not alone and it was too soon for Jon’lan to have returned. A light rain began to fall landing softly all around Anaay though he was sheltered by the branches of a large tree. Thunder rumbled in the distance and Anaay counted until lightening flashed across the night sky, he made use of the light by scanning the nearby area.
He was not surprised to see that one of the men of the others had come to scout out the camp where the women lay sleeping. Still anger filled him until he thought that his very soul would burst with it. Anaay waited until darkness once again covered the land and he moved forward ever nearer to his target. Another flash of lightening lit the land and Anaay sunk to the ground maintaining his cover and finding a calm place in his heart to store his anger.
He began counting again and this time he was not taken by surprise when the lightning flashed, instead he surprised the man that intruded upon their camp. Sliding his hunting knife against the throat of his opponent Anaay spoke softly, “You are too close to the camp of our women and children.”
Chogan froze feeling the prick of the blade at his throat; he had thought himself unobserved as he crept to the sleeping place of the women. He did not turn around but he raised his hands to show that he held no weapon saying, “I sought only to relieve myself in the night.” In truth, he had wanted to seek out the sleeping place of the girl called Kii and take what she had not thought to offer him.
Anaay heard the lie in the man’s voice but he knew that Jon’lan wished to avoid any confrontation for as long as possible. He lowe
red his knife and clasped the man’s upraised arm so that he could not turn around.
“You must go in the other direction, there is sickness here.”
Chogan recognized the voice of Anaay and his mouth twisted with distaste. “Perhaps I like what I see here, perhaps I will remain longer.” He knew that Anaay would not harm him for fear of retaliation.
“You may do that,” Anaay countered, “But perhaps in the morning your people will find you maimed by a cat, a large black panther that stalks the land. Who can say what will happen to a man wandering the forest at night?”
Chogan bristled with newfound fear, still his heart thumped with renewed interest in the girl. If this man threatened death because of one woman, she must be of more value than he even realized.
“I will have her.” He spoke plainly knowing that Anaay knew of whom he spoke.
“You speak of a girl not yet a woman.” Anaay hissed through his teeth, “But even if she were woman already she would never choose you.”
Chogan felt Anaay release him from his grasp and turned swiftly to face the man, pulling his blade from the hidden place under his parka as he turned. Thunder rumbled above him and all was dark. The place where Anaay had been standing was now empty and the slash of Chogan’s knife struck only air.
Chogan looked around searching blindly for his adversary as Anaay watched from the shadows. He waited until the man gave up and watched as he walked back towards his own camp. Anaay unclenched his hand from his knife before setting off towards the women’s camp. As he approached he called out softly to Giad and the boy responded promptly letting Anaay know that he was not only awake and watchful but wary.
Keeper of the People (Book One) Page 25