Everyone took the news in stride, knowing that their hopes of staying here over the winter were no longer an option. Who would want to stay with the others nearby? How long could they avoid the hungry warriors, men who hungered for more than food and yearned for women that were not theirs? Each woman asked herself this and though Kii was not a woman yet she thought along the same lines. Taikiuu put a protective arm around her daughters, glad to have Mar-ee’s warmth upon her lap and Kii nestled into the crook of her arm.
“Father we will leave?” Mar-ee spoke quietly and her eyes held wisdom too great for such a young child.
“Yes daughter, we leave at dusk.” Jon’lan spoke to his smallest daughter but he addressed everyone with his words. Taikiuu felt her heart thump wildly before it once again settled into a natural rhythm. She trusted Jon’lan, her husband, with her life and the lives of each member of her band. In this band, a small child could interrupt at a critical moment and still be shown respect and granted an answer. Of course they would leave; she should not have allowed her heart to hope that this valley which had sheltered them for only a few short moons would be their home forever. Any thoughts that she had of staying here were buried deep within in her. Wherever Jon’lan walked that was where her home would be and without him she would certainly feel as if her soul was ripped in two. She said a prayer to the Giver of Breath for strength and leaned forward to listen closely as Jon’lan related the details of their plan.
Star Feather felt her hands trembling, she was not a woman that boasted of being brave, but she would not stay here to be taken as a slave to the people they called the Others. If her husband thought that there was a chance that this plan would work then she would have to try. Her heart told her that she could at least try her best for the lives of her children if not for herself. Star Feather was a strong woman, but she did not wish to be a great person, she wished only to be a wife and a mother. Roark knew of his wife’s wish to lead a simple life, but he found in his wife a core of strength that even she did not seem to know was there. He did not ask too much of Star Feather now. She hoped only that she could be brave enough to save her children and those of her band.
Taikiuu listened solemnly to Jon’lan’s words and then as she thought their plan of escape through over and over again she could not find a flaw or anything that he had not already prepared for in advance. It was as she had expected. She was thankful that her husband was a man that thought things through from all angles and choose the best course. Noticing Star Feather’s slumped posture and downcast eyes Taikiuu approached her and kneeled at her side. She waited until the other woman looked at her and then Taikiuu said, “We are mothers unafraid.”
Star Feather looked at Taikiuu with tears glistening in her eyes as she kissed the downy soft hair of her son and repeated the words in a firm voice. “We are mothers unafraid.” She took Taikiuu’s proffered hand and rose steadily to her feet. Both women hugged briefly before turning to the task of breaking camp and preparing the children for their escape.
Chogan sat across from his father waiting for the man to allow him to speak. His father’s woman, She’teth, sat at I’naram’s side with a smug smile on her lips. She’teth knew how Chogan had boasted about possessing the girl called Kii and she was thrilled that Chogan’s plans were thwarted. I’naram studied his son, watching the fire in his eyes burn as he scowled at his young wife. She’teth was not Chogan’s mother by birth and she was now I’naram’s first wife.
Chogan’s mother had died with many of the rest of their band, when sickness came over the long winter. I’naram found her to be useless except for her wisdom with the ways of a band. The woman seemed to know what his people needed to hear and as long as I’naram gave her the trinkets that she asked him for she shared her knowledge with him. I’naram had tried beating her into submission more times than he could count and while this did much to appease his pride it did not move She’teth to submission.
I’naram blamed the woman’s father, who had beaten her all the days of her life. She’teth did not fear his beatings. I’naram would bide his time, already he had set his sights on another woman. He watched his son closely as the boy grew impatient and then settled himself again. Finally I’naram motioned that Chogan should speak.
“Father, why have we not overtaken this man Jon’lan and his band? His women should be ours by now and his children should be dead or given to our women as slaves.” I’naram spoke convincingly but even after his words were said he felt She’teth mocking him with her smile.
“Soon, my son, for now we must wait and be patient. Perhaps this band has more people waiting just above us. If that is the case, we must err on the side of caution.”
“But father,” Chogan tried unsuccessful to keep the petulant tone out of his voice, “the boy called Anaay he mocks us even now.”
At the mention of the young man that had faced his entire band with simply one bow and a few arrows I’naram was reminded that he had yet to place the boy’s face. But then a memory of his own brother at that age came to mind and even as he looked at his son he saw the resemblance. The silence lengthened and Chogan once again grew impatient, but still Chogan did not speak. I’naram held silent until Chogan’s face began to flush red. Still I’naram took his time putting the pieces together. Finally he said, “It is possible that Anaay is my brother’s son, long thought dead. What is his is now ours.”
She’teth bit her cheeks in an effort to remain silent as she turned to her husband and waited for him to explain.
“It is as I have said,” I’naram spoke through gritted teeth. “I have only now realized that this is how they know of our language.”
“But that would make him my cousin.” Chogan spoke as if he would rather spit than admit any blood kin to Anaay.
“You are missing the central point, my son. His relation to us would make us part of Anaay’s band through blood ties. The same as if he had married into our band.” His words caused silence to fall over the camp and even She’teth was without words at the thought of what this could mean for her. She also thought of the child that lay tucked under the parka of the woman called Star Feather. If it was a boy child then certainly as the first wife of I’naram she would have every right to claim the child as her own.
She’teth lowered her eyes so that Chogan would not see her expression. The youth hated her as much as she hated him and he would stop at nothing to see her hurt. She’teth had her own ways of making Chogan pay for his selfish ways. Already she watched as he rubbed at his sour stomach and she knew it would only be a short while from now before he became ill. She’teth was known for her knowledge of herbs and natural medicines and she was careful in her treachery, no one knew that she also understood the ways of poisons.
Though She’teth hated Chogan it was not without reason, she had grown up in a small band when I’naram had found her. He had killed her father and her mother, taking She’teth as his slave. I’naram had used She’teth as a slave before she had been able to convince him that she could serve him better as a wife.
Chogan had been the only thing that stood in her way. His son boasted that his father was too great to be married to a slave. I’naram had outsmarted his son seeing a valuable asset in She’teth he had first freed her and won her as his wife with bride gifts. She’teth knew that marrying I’naram was her only hope of a better life but this would not be the end for her. Greater things were in store for her than to be the wife of I’naram.
She’teth did not mourn the loss of a father who beat her or a mother who was too weak to help her daughter. As a young woman she vowed that she would not allow I’naram to corrupt what was good inside of her, but she had lost hold of those ideals long ago.
She knew that her heart was full of hate and she no longer fought it. She looked only for her own gain; she wanted power and glory before she died. She was a young woman still, but she could not have her own children. I’naram had sought out her bed furs often enough to have conceived a child by now if
it were possible.
She-teth did not know why her womb remained barren. But she knew of a way to get a healthy child that would grow into a strong hunter and warrior. All of the women in her band wished for nothing more than a child. She-teth would be the first to have a son, even if she had to take him from the woman called Star Feather.
From a distance she heard the sound of retching and realized that Chogan had finally given in to the complaints of his stomach. She’teth looked into the dying embers of the fire and smiled, flashing her sharpened teeth as she laughed to herself.
I’naram sat with his warriors and told them of his plan. The men seemed to be incensed that they would be joining the new band instead of fighting. I’naram wanted his men to thirst for blood and he was glad to see that several were disappointed that they would win without any bloodshed. He needed more information before he could promise them great spoils.
As of now he did not know how many were in Jon’lan’s band and he could not make an informed decision without this knowledge. As he waited it began to occur to him that perhaps Jon’lan had lied and they were only a small group without the help from a larger band.
He wondered what band would send such beautiful women along with only one hunter and a young man as protection. Women were needed to cut and dry the meat, skin the hides and help the hunters in many ways. But a great leader would not send his most valued women to do such labor intensive tasks, even if they were sick. It was obvious from the bearing of Jon’lan’s woman and her female companion that they were special in some way.
Jon’lan explained that his woman was a healer of their people and she was brought along to gather herbs and various medicines. Still this answer did not sit well with I’naram, if the man Jon’lan told the truth then why was such a beautiful young girl, not even yet a woman with them? And why were the healthiest children that he had ever seen given the task of following after a hunting party. No, these things did not sit well with I’naram. Was it possible that these people were alone in this valley as he had first believed? These were the things that I’naram shared with his most loyal hunters as they sat and spoke with lowered voices so that they would not be overheard.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jon’lan watched the men as he approached and he noticed that something had changed in their manner towards him. They seemed to look at him as prey instead of as an equal. Jon’lan could not imagine what had changed but as he knelt beside I’naram and greeted him he did not let his anxiety show.
“How many did you say were in your band?” I’naram asked him, not returning the man’s greeting and barely giving him time to settle on his hunches beside him as was customary.
“I did not say because my people are too many to number.” Jon’lan was quick to reply to I’naram probing question, however, he kept his tone mild. He did not mention that Anaay accused I’naram’s son Chogan of attempting to assault the women last night. Jon’lan had expected some form of attack soon and he was only relieved that no one had been hurt.
He told Anaay that it was by his own hand that violence had been avoided. It was time to put his plan into action and as he looked into I’naram’s eyes he wondered if the man would see through his words to the truth hidden beneath.
“We are leaving today to go up into the hills and meet our people.” Jon’lan spoke firmly, knowing that if he showed any weakness the man would see through his bluff.
“The women will take the meat that I have stored from our hunt and take it back to our people. They are making their way now even as we speak.” Jon’lan did not rush his words, but his body tensed at the anger that blazed in I’naram’s eyes.
“I would have liked to meet the rest of your band.” I’naram sensed that he was losing the advantage and he would not allow this trader to defeat him. “Especially since I have come to realize that we are related.”
Jon’lan looked startled but quickly hid his reaction before speaking, “How is it that we are related?”
“Your son, the one called Anaay is my nephew. Son of my lost brother U’tuk.” Jon’lan wondered if the man would grow curious as to why he and Anaay spoke his language so well. Even Taikiuu had spoken in the man’s own tongue.
“We have reason to rejoice!” Jon’lan said with false gaiety. This worked even better with his plan. He did not for a second believe that I’naram sought only to become better acquainted with his long lost nephew. The man had evil intentions and Jon’lan knew that his only hope was to give Giad and Yaa enough time to put their plan into action.
“Even now my people have lit the summoning fires,” Jon’lan spoke softly, “It is a ritual to welcome back those who have been away hunting for their band. This time it is their signal for us to return to them.” Even as he spoke in the distance I’naram could see fires being lit upon the hill tops one after another. He had never seen anything like it and he could have never guessed that it was Giad and Yaa and not ten hands of people who were setting the fires. Giad had broken the largest of Taikiuu’s fire stones and given a set to Yaa. They had run until their lungs burned, each in a different direction, racing up the hills to the north until they found the mound of bark and brush that Roark had set out the night before. Each one struck their stones, lit a fire and then raced off to the next hill where they repeated the process. Yaa and Giad covered six hills in less time than Jon’lan had even thought possible. I’naram watched as the fires were lit beckoning them all with their glory.
“We shall go up and speak to our people for you. We will tell them how you have brought many fine warriors, women of child bearing age, and much more. We will tell them that their headman, I’naram, is related to this man, Jon’lan by blood relation. In this way, you will be welcomed by our people and if it is your desire your band may join with ours.”
Jon’lan saw that his well worded speech had the desired effect on I’naram. Jon’lan knew that I’naram sought his own advantage and Jon’lan used that knowledge against him. “I ask only that you wait for me to return by nightfall so that I may welcome you properly into our valley with great ceremony and feasting.”
I’naram felt the eyes of his people widen with interest and he saw She’teth’s gaze sweep over his own. He could almost hear her berate him for a fool. If they tried to join Jon’lan’s band now without first meeting the leader of his people it would be looked upon poorly by all. It was better to wait and meet Jon’lan’s people in the way he had suggested. I’naram did not allow his face to show any emotion at all as he said, “We will wait until nightfall.”
Jon’lan did not flinch at the threat that lay hidden in the man’s words. Instead he turned his mind to their escape knowing that it was indeed their only hope.
Taikiuu held tightly to Mar-ee’s hand as they ran. Kii was leading the way, with Star Feather tagging along behind them. They made it to the safety of their cave and everyone breathed a sigh of relief as they entered. Star Feather handed her son to Mar-ee so that her hands would be free and she followed Taikiuu and spoke softly to her before rushing to her sleeping place to pack. Kii’s hands shook as she gathered her belongings and did the same with Yaa’s. Roark took only a moment to clasp his wife to him before he hefted Jon’lan’s trading pack and other supplies onto his back.
Everyone gathered at the entrance of the cave before looking to Roark for direction. Silently he led them away from the home that they had known for a short while. Taikiuu cast her eyes forward, refusing to look back at the only home that had ever been hers to claim. She would take the memories with her if they survived; surely that would be a good thing.
Roark led the women and children to the place where they were to meet Yaa and Giad. Both of the children were there waiting when they arrived and Roark would have thought that they had been resting the entire time if not for the soft panting of their breath and sheen of perspiration that coated their bodies. Roark could not say that he had ever run as fast as these two must have in their race to set the fires and then return to this meetin
g place. He took a moment to pat them both on the back with fatherly pride before lifting Yaa up to carry her.
His new daughter did not protest, she simply relaxed in his arms and fought to catch her breath. Star Feather was touched by how quickly Yaa had bonded with Roark, she knew that her daughter had been leery of men. Even as they set off at a fast trot Star Feather took the time to be grateful for small blessings.
She felt her son snuggle against her breast and she lifted her parka top so that he could feel the sunshine on his skin. His eyes sparkled with love as he looked up at his mother and she kissed his head and breathed in the warm baby scent that was uniquely his.
Giad was past the age that he would hold onto an adult’s hand, but the aftershock of the danger that they faced had worn him down. Star Feather seemed to sense his unease and she grabbed his hand as if she needed it for fear of stumbling while carrying a heavy pack and her other son. Giad was not embarrassed when she squeezed his hand in reassurance. He looked at his mother as she motioned for him to lead the way and he felt only love and appreciation.
Roark knew that they had to make it to the pass that separated this valley from the barren lands to the South. He hoped that Jon’lan would be right behind them while their enemy looked to the North at the fires that were still blazing behind them.
Neither he nor Jon’lan knew what was beyond the land of sand and sun that they were planning to enter. But they both knew that only death lay behind them. Both men hoped that this would be the end of their flight if they could evade their enemies by going into a barren wasteland then perhaps they would find safety once and for all.
Keeper of the People (Book One) Page 27