Anaay walked at Jon’lan’s side until they were out of sight from I’naram and his men. Anaay did not trust Chogan to allow them to leave without following them. He settled Rhea directly in their path and told her to stay, it was the hardest thing that he had ever done. He didn’t know if the great cat would follow his order, he didn’t know if she would deter Chogan.
Anaay feared that Rhea would be injured if she fought Chogan but then his thoughts turned to Kii, Yaa and Mar-ee. He knew that Rhea would want to fight for all of them if she could understand the danger they faced. She was as loyal to their new family as he was. He gently stroked her fur and put his cheek to her face before turning and running to catch up to Jon’lan. Rhea stayed where Anaay left her, seeming to sense what was required of her.
Hawk rode on Jon’lan’s shoulder his eyes ever watchful as the two men raced to reach the pass that separated this valley from what Anaay called “the end of the world.” Jon’lan did not know what they would find when they passed through the huge canyon that separated this valley from the unknown land. In all of his travels the world had never dropped off into nothingness as the stories from Anaay’s childhood foretold.
Jon’lan could not imagine that it would do so now. He could only move his family forward out of the clutches of men like Marad and I’naram. Perhaps in this new land they would finally be free from men that would rape, steal, pillage and destroy. He hoped that one day he could return to his mother and father bringing his new band with him. But for now Jon’lan set his mind to ignoring the burning in his calves as he ran and he did not allow himself to think of the need to stop and rest. Jon’lan’s heart accelerated with hope and Anaay grunted as they picked up the pace racing ever forward into an unknown future.
Taikiuu knew that she had never run as hard in her life but she did not dare complain. She was well aware that Star Feather and the children were watching her for any sign of fear or unease. She could not allow herself to give in to the temptation and so she made no complaint. Taikiuu followed Roark‘s urgings to continue at a brisk pace when they faltered.
Roark knew better than anyone that he would have to push them hard if they were to evade I’naram and his men. It was difficult traveling over rugged terrain that fought their every step. Roark finally called a halt when he saw the place where the valley ended.
He motioned for everyone to rest and only Yaa and Giad remained standing, while the others collapsed where they stood. Yaa was thankful for her strong legs and Giad was proud of his sister. After their father had set her down she alternately ran and walked at his side without stopping or complaining.
Her eyes sparkled with life and excitement and Giad was glad that she did not fear the men that would surely pursue them. Their father had taken them aside and told them that he would slay anyone that sought to take them from him. Yaa looked into Roark’s eyes with unflagging trust and loyalty. Giad was also comforted by his father’s words, but he was old enough to know that they were outnumbered. If they were forced to turn and fight, they would lose, there could be no other outcome.
Giad and Yaa panted softly beside each other eager to back track for sign of Jon’lan and Anaay. Giad looked at their father and he gave him a hand signal that they had both learned from Taikiuu which meant “Go.” Tapping Yaa on the shoulder to get her attention Giad started off with her close to his side. They ran as one back the way they had come.
Kii held Mar-ee on her lap where she sat, thankful for the nearness of her little sister. Taikiuu and Kii had taken turns carrying Mar-ee and when they had tired they had set her down to walk. Kii tried to hide her fear but she knew that her worry was visible on her face. Not only was she concerned about the safety of her band, but she worried about her father and Anaay whom they had left behind to face the greatest danger.
Kii sat with her hands folded around Mar-ee and she smiled when the little girl took her hands in her own and patted them. Star Feather looked on with a weary smile, her baby was asleep at her breast and as she looked at his chubby face and rich black hair she felt a fierce desire to protect him as well as her other children. She looked up to find Roark gazing at her with unspoken words that might have been her own.
Everyone turned as Giad and Yaa returned to their resting place. In the silence the sound of their running feet preceded them by only a few moments before the two youngsters were visible. Giad raised his hand to sign but Yaa beat him to it yelling out, “They come!”
“They come!” Roark repeated for the women who were still seated.
“How do you know that it is father and Anaay that come?” Kii asked softly as she looked at Roark who suddenly seemed more relieved than he had appeared before.
“Because,” Roark responded with a smile, “If it were I’naram and his warriors, my children would not be smiling.”
True to his word Yaa and Giad appeared with tired smiles on their faces and confirmed that Jon’lan and Anaay were not far behind them.
“We saw them and they saw us and signed that we should return to you.” Yaa spoke quietly, uncommonly shy with all the attention that her mother and father were giving her every word.
“You have done well, daughter.” Roark clapped Giad on the back in appreciation and sent Yaa to join her mother. Star Feather welcomed Yaa with open arms, kissing her daughter’s cheeks in relief. It had taken everything in her to allow not only one child but both to go back and wait for Jon’lan. It made sense that they should be the ones to go because they were fleet of foot and Giad had been trained as a runner.
Girls were not trained to run in Aztlan but Yaa had proven herself over the past months and it was a rare day that she could not keep up with Giad, although he was still slightly faster. Star Feather did not second guess her husband, but her heart warmed as she realized that she thought of Giad as her son and Yaa as her daughter.
She would not put any child in danger and wished only to see them safe. Giad walked by Star Feather and laughed as she pulled him to her and squeezed him around the shoulders in a hug. Giad was not uncomfortable in her embrace, but he did not want to appear to be a baby. He made all the usual protest before hugging her back and tickling his little brother who had awoken with all the commotion.
Jon’lan and Anaay rounded a final corner before they saw the women and children resting upon the grass. Roark stood over them keeping guard. Giad had made his place in a tree as was common for him so that he could see from a farther distance.
Taikiuu stood and rushed into his arms and Jon’lan held her for a moment soaking in her warmth. Kii and Mar-ee hugged him from behind their mother and Jon’lan encircled them all in his arms. Mar-ee was promptly lifted up into her father’s embrace and she rested her head on his shoulder. She had missed him and though she was too young to understand exactly what was happening she knew that the Others were bad people that might have hurt her family.
“We must go.” Jon’lan spoke to all of them and no one protested, before long they were on their way through the pass that would lead them into the unknown.
“It is true that we do not know what awaits us on the other side of this pass. But my travels have taught me much about this land, I have heard of great mountains, with a pass that closes in the winter. Winter approaches now. We must make it through the pass and into this new land. We leave our enemies behind forever.” Jon’lan did not mean for his words to sound so much like a vow, but everyone heard the conviction in his voice and their hearts were buoyed with hope.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jon’lan carried Mar-ee in his arms although Taikiuu and Kii kept close to them both. Roark trailed behind his wife and their son with Yaa and Giad scampering along at his side. Anaay was last as was his custom and he couldn’t stop himself from glancing back often and Hawk squawked at him in silent reproof it seemed for leaving Rhea behind.
Anaay allowed the bird to keep his perch on his shoulder, thankful for the leather matting that kept the eagles talons from sinking into his arm. He did not meet the
bird’s eyes again, but his heart mourned for the loss of Rhea. In his mind’s eye he could see her sitting there in the path, far from them, waiting patiently for Anaay to give her the command to “Come.” His heart burned with the loss of such a faithful companion. Perhaps he would see her again one day. But for now, he had to focus on the safety of their band.
Rhea lay with her paws forward in the place that Anaay had commanded for her to stay. Initially the scent of Anaay was strong in her nostrils and she did not worry that he would wonder farther than she was able to follow. But she had sensed that he was asking her to do something more difficult than her usual tasks.
The day grew long and Rhea began to grow impatient with waiting, still she stayed where Anaay bid her. Finally as dusk began to settle Rhea sensed that she was being watched, but there were no predators that she had found in this valley that she should fear.
Her senses were alert nonetheless and she moved with her instinct as a sound whistled through the air and a spear struck the ground right where she had been resting. Rhea understood for the first time without question that not all men were to be trusted.
In this case her instinct was to flee. But even as she fled, her attacker stalked her, and Rhea found that she had to use all of her resources to elude him. Her nose had already identified the threat as the boy called Chogan.
Years of stalking prey in the forest had taught her how to walk without sound but she found that Chogan had learned the same in his life. She could smell him before she saw him but even then he was almost upon her as she jumped, launching her body out and up into the air and landing with a twist on the path below. Still she felt the sting of an arrow as she landed and she heard the thud of the boy as he fell. A sickening crack filled the air as Chogan landed on the hard ground; he was not familiar with the path and had not noticed that it dropped off by several hands without warning.
The attack was over within moments and Rhea lay panting in the hidden places of the forest. Chogan lay sprawled upon the ground his leg turned at an impossible angle. Rhea watched the boy for a long time as he screamed and then she mustered up the strength to hobble away. It was slow going and she only had the use of three paws because the arrow had torn through her right front leg. She stopped from time to time to lick her wound and each time she stopped it was obvious that the pain was great. But instinct drover her on and she had only one thought as she moved forward with effort, she must find Anaay.
I’naram found his son, barely coherent, mumbling in agony. It was clear from the trail above that he had been hunting a large cat. I’naram knew that it must be the same great black cat that the man Jon’lan had claimed belonged to his band. She’teth looked on as I’naram lowered his head to his son’s own face and screamed his rage. What use did he have for a crippled son? She’teth knew that it would have been better for Chogan to die than to continue living as a cripple. They had no healer with them and no one knew what to do for a leg broken so badly.
I’naram lifted his son into his arms and carried him to the path that he had fallen from during the attack. His men stood on the path above and several turned away to avoid shaming I’naram as his son screamed in agony. I’naram spoke harshly to She’teth telling her to bind his son’s mouth so that they would not be forced to hear his pathetic screams. She’teth had no motherly feeling for the boy but anyone could see that he was beyond himself with the pain and as she examined his leg she saw that the bone protruded in at least two places.
She’teth had learned that people could die from the sickness that came into a leg or arm once it was broken. The skill to heal his leg was beyond her, but she knew that it was possible that the wife of Jon’lan could help him. She was not sure how keeping Chogan alive would benefit her and so she remained silent, for now. Perhaps it was better that the boy die. Who was she to say otherwise?
I’naram watched the smoldering fires on the hills far above the valley until they smoldered down to smoke. Six fires had been lit within seconds of each other and at the time I’naram had not thought to question the evidence that Jon’lan’s people were far more abundant than he had imagined and that they were indeed beckoning him home.
I’naram liked the idea of feasting and ceremonies on his behalf as Jon’lan invited him into his band. But even as darkness descended and the smoke from the fires seemed to settle into the valley he heard his own thoughts turn against him and call him a fool.
Somehow Jon’lan had tricked him and as the idea settled into his mind it began to fester until finally it grew into a putrid smell that seemed to fill the very air around him. As his son whimpered through his gag I’naram stood to his full height and let out a warrior’s cry. Soon his men joined him and the sound of their rage was deafening as it echoed through the valley.
She’teth kept close to Chogan as the men began to dance and sing, preparing for the fight that lay ahead. Her face was void of any emotion but she knew that she must keep her eyes cast down to the ground, less someone read the truth that lay there. Her heart beat only for the thought of the little boy that she would gain from I’naram’s wrath. Nothing would keep her from the child now. She would see to it.
She’teth sat with the other women, but her gazed was fixed on the suffering form of Chogan. She was careful to keep her face devoid of expression less one of the other women wonder at the look in her eyes. She was pleased that I’naram had decided to pursue Jon’lan and his family. She knew that no mercy would be shown to them once they were found, but all she could contemplate was the brief sight of the male child that was soon to be hers. No one would stop her from taking him once they were found. She would see to it and finally she would have her son.
Jon’lan could tell that the women and children were tiring, but he did not allow them the option of stopping. When anyone slowed he gathered close to them and told a quiet story or spoke soft words of encouragement. If one of the children lagged behind he picked them up and carried them on his shoulders, even though he shared the weight of a burden bag on his back. Roark carried his son now to give Star Feather a rest but his wife insisted on carrying her own pack.
Yaa forced herself to put one foot in front of the other and she knew that she had never walked so far before. Giad watched over his sister but for the first time in his memory he did not need to carry the full burden of her safe keeping. His father Roark had not only adopted them as children but he had taken on their worries and fears as well. Even now Roark motioned the children close to them as they came upon a rocky place. He admonished them to be careful with their footsteps, urging Star Feather along as well.
The baby began to fuss for his mid day feeding and Roark reluctantly handed him back to his wife. It seemed that although all of them were tired, Star Feather was weary beyond measure. Her recent illness could not have come at a worse time and she needed all of her strength to endure whatever lie ahead. As if Taikiuu sensed Roark’s thoughts she appeared next to them and signed quickly finding it unnecessary to break the calming silence with words.
Roark had become adept at reading most of the signs that he learned from Jon’lan and found them particularly helpful during a hunt, when one must remain silent. Now as Taikiuu signed to him his heart lightened. He didn’t catch all of her words but the meaning was clear, “A mother will do anything for her children. I have seen it. We will do the same.” Taikiuu had noticed Roark’s growing concern for his wife and she couldn’t stop the words that sprang from her lips to his ears.
Earlier Star Feather mentioned that she knew Roark was anxious over her health and wellbeing. Taikiuu clutched her amulet close and gave careful thought to her words before responding. Star Feather glanced over at her with a grateful smile and her face was radiant with youth. Although she had been ill only a little while ago she was fully recovered and with the right motivation she would be able to keep up with the others. Far in the distance Taikiuu could just make out white tips that hugged the great mountains.
She had never seen such high mountains be
fore but Jon’lan had told her that they would all see things that were new to them for that was the joy of exploring. He made it sound like a great adventure, yet Taikiuu knew that they were in a race for their lives. The only thing on their side was that I’naram would not want to chase them back through the perilous route that he had come.
With the lure of their peaceful valley to hold him and his people secure through the winter there was no reason for them to leave except for hate. Taikiuu knew that hate was a powerful motivator; she said a prayer to the Creator for strength and mercy and continued on following doggedly in Jon’lan’s footsteps.
Jon’lan and Roark surveyed the landscape when they stopped to rest as they came through the pass and. It was as if the chasm separated them from a foreign world on one side was paradise and on the other a barren wasteland. The only way down was to lower each person by use of a rope.
The drop down was severe and Jon’lan could not fathom how I’naram and his people had made the climb. But as he looked below he could just make out the shining white bones that littered the bottom of the cavern. His mind flashed back to I’naram saying that the winter had been long for his people. Jon’lan did not wish to think how the ones below had perished. He looked at Roark and saw the knowledge of what had transpired in the man’s eyes and turned away.
Jon’lan had brought along with him a rope, but it was not long enough by half. He couldn’t imagine how they would be able to get down. Everyone sat, panting for breath and resting as Jon’lan looked at them, his people a united band. They were relying on him to make a decision and to do so quickly.
Loosening his pack he asked Taikiuu and Star Feather to use the empty water skins and fill them up as much as possible along with their own. Yaa and Giad followed eager to do something that would take their minds off of what was coming. Roark stepped a few paces away from Kii where she sat holding his son and keeping Mar-ee occupied. “How can I help you?”
Keeper of the People (Book One) Page 28