Taikiuu noticed the tension in her husband’s shoulders when he approached their resting place. Already she had gathered her things together and helped Yaa and Kii with their packs. Everyone stood ready. Anaay was not within sight, but that was often the case first thing in the morning when he scouted the area ahead of them. Giad was with him, his constant shadow.
“We leave at once.” Jon’lan told the women and children as they watched him. There were no further words spoken as they each tied themselves into place, following closely behind the person in front of them. They seemed to sense Jon’lan’s tension.
Jon’lan took the lead position, following the trail that Anaay had laid in the freshly fallen snow. They traveled silently, each person was careful to step into the footsteps of the person ahead of them. Yaa and Mar-ee were unusually silent as they made their way forward.
Jon’lan did not stop as he pushed them harder than he normally did. The snow continued to fall without cease making their travel difficult and slippery. Star Feather slid on a patch of ice and had to grab hold of a rock to stop herself from falling. The baby woke at this rough jarring and began to cry.
Star Feather did everything that she could to soothe him, but Mantiloff seemed to sense the anxiety of the group and nothing she did could calm him. Roark finally took the carrying strap that held his son and positioned it over his own shoulders. Still his son continued to cry. Just as they were cresting another hill, Anaay returned to the group at a run and they all slid to a stop. Mantiloff ceased his wailing and for a moment they all shared a smile.
Anaay saw the band walking towards them. Giad was at his side as they both ran and slid back to the others. Anaay nodded when Giad looked at him questioningly and Giad’s face broke into a broad smile before he said, “We have found the mammoth herd.”
Every member of the band smiled at Giad’s exuberance. After the uneasy trek through the ice and snow the good news seemed to buoy their spirits.
“Good job to you both. Please lead us to them now.” Jon’lan motioned for Anaay to come to him. Giad took off at a steady walk, his chest puffed out with pride at being given the honor of leading his people forward.
“We have someone on our trail. Roark is keeping an eye out for anyone that follows.” Jon’lan spoke quietly as he kept his hand on Anaay’s shoulder. Even as he said the words he felt the young man stiffen.
“I want you to stay with the women.” Jon’lan informed Anaay before he could speak. “We do not know what we will find on the other side of the mountain pass, perhaps this person is a scout for a band that lives in this new land. How are we to know? It is unlikely that I’naram has found us with the snow and tough travel. But it is a possibility.”
“I would do as you request of me, but I would gladly join Roark.” Anaay spoke with fervor and Jon’lan smiled grimly.
“I know that you would protect this band with your life, which is why I ask you to protect all that we value, our women and children.” Jon’lan looked Anaay in the eye and let Anaay see the concern that grew there. The young man nodded, “It will be as you say.”
“Then go.” Jon’lan patted Anaay on his back as he caught up to the women, taking the position that Jon’lan had vacated. Jon’lan could barely make out Roark’s figure behind them, but he took long easy strides until they were well matched and walking side by side.
“Have you seen any sign of followers?” Jon’lan was quick to ask his hearth brother.
“No, but I still feel as if someone is tracking us. I would like to double back.” Roark wanted to confront the threat and he preferred to do it now, before the storm grew worse.
“Let us find a good place to lay in wait and we will see exactly who and what we are dealing with. I have warned Anaay and he will protect the women and children. Even now Giad leads them back to the mammoth herd. Are you in agreement?” Jon’lan asked.
Always before Roark had been told what to do and where to go, having someone in power ask his opinion was foreign to him, yet Jon’lan had always asked his opinion.
“Yes, there is a peak just ahead that will make a good lookout point, let us go there now and wait.”
Jon’lan and Roark took off at an easy pace, weapons ready and hearts set upon the same goal, the protection and survival of all that they loved.
A figure approached with shuffling steps, it bent several times to sniff the snow and check the footprints for signs. Jon’lan and Roark saw the figure and carefully made their way down from the peak that had served as their point of watch. They approached the figure carefully and they could see very little in the swirling snow. As they approached they called out a greeting and the figure stopped suddenly in the middle of the path. Jon’lan and Roark froze with their hands held loosely at their sides, they did not have their weapons in hand, but they were within easy reach.
The figure continued to shuffle towards them until it stood only a few feet away from the two men. Jon’lan wasn’t sure what or who approached them. Whoever stood before them was swaddled in warm winter clothing from head to toe. Jon’lan saw that they were of average height but from the careful way that the person moved he wondered again who or what approached them. Finally Jon’lan and Roark took a few more steps closer, their curiosity getting the better of them.
The snow shrouded figure raised one hand palm up and then raised both hands to its head garment. Jon’lan and Roark gasped as one as the person removed their head covering. Before them stood a wizened old man with eyes that were eerily similar in shape to Star Feather’s. His eyes were slanted sharply and his face was aged and looked unwrinkled at first glance. As Jon’lan and Roark both stepped closer they both realized that the man was old indeed, older perhaps than anyone they had ever met in their lifetime.
“We are passing through this mountain, Old One, we mean you no harm.” Jon’lan spoke so that his words carried over the whistling wind. Still the Old One only stared at them taking in every detail with rapt attention. Jon’lan noticed that the garments the old one wore were animal skins of various species. The seams were done well, tightly fitted and carefully stitched.
“Why do you follow us Grandfather?” Roark asked gently using the term that Star Feather used when addressing the old ones of her band.
“I am not still alive am I?” The man finally asked in a dialect that sounded familiar to Jon’lan but he could not place the language. Still he understood some of the man’s words.
“You are certainly alive.” Jon’lan informed the old one as he wobbled closer.
“I have been sent here to live in the spirit world. Are you spirits?” The old one asked again in his own tongue.
“No we are living, just as you are.” The old one seemed to consider this for a moment and then he nodded agreeably.
“Where are your people?” Jon’lan asked carefully, eager to make sure that the man was alone.
“They live in the world of the living on the other side of this mountain.” The Old One spoke in a raspy whisper that barely carried to their ears. Jon’lan breathed a sigh of relief even as the man pointed in the direction that his family had gone, the way of the mammoth.
“How many live on the other side of the mountain?” Jon’lan asked as he gave the old one some water to drink and some dried meat to chew. Roark stood silently keeping watch as Jon’lan tried to talk to the old one.
“Three hands of people lived in my village, until the sickness came. I do not know how many still live. I was sent here with many of the old ones so that there would be enough food for those that remain.” The old one spoke with a tremble in his voice, yet his words were strong. He was not sick and he was of sound mind. Jon’lan tensed even as he translated the words to Roark
This man had been sent to walk the wind forever. That meant death to the Old One. Jon’lan had heard of such a thing from times past, but usually it was a choice, a spirit walk that was chosen by one who wanted to walk into the resting place of his forefathers. If Jon’lan understood this man correctly he h
ad been sent here to die.
“You are welcome to join our hearth fire when we make camp. What is your name?” Jon’lan asked after conferring with Roark.
“I don’t remember right now, but it will come back to me.” The Old One spoke softly as he smacked his lips at the taste of the dried meat.
“Have you been following us for many days?” Roark asked. He needed to make sure that it was the old one that he sensed and no one else.
“I saw you before the first snowstorm; you must be in a hurry if you wish to make it back down the mountain before the worst of the winter season begins.” The Old One accepted another piece of dried meat from Jon’lan and smiled in thanks. Jon’lan did his best to stay down wind of the old man, he was eager to share information, yet his smell was rancid. Jon’lan winced as he considered that the old man would be sharing their fire this night and sleeping nearby.
The three men shuffled through the snow, making an effort to reach the evening camp before the sun set. Jon’lan took turns with Roark in helping the old man to hurry his footsteps.
Both men fought to hold their breath for as long as possible when they found themselves walking close to the old man. Jon’lan didn’t realize that it was possible for a person to smell so very terrible and remain unaffected. Yet the man breathed deeply, scenting into the wind even as he walked, thankful for their aid.
At his age, he could not risk a fall and he found the assistance of the young men at his side very helpful indeed. As they approached camp Jon’lan noted that he could make out their camp fire from a great distance. For some reason this bothered him and he mentioned the same to Roark. The man grunted in return but he seemed to be giving the problem his consideration.
The weather was growing worse and it would be difficult to go without a fire and remain warm. Roark didn’t seem overly concerned that anyone would spot their fire at this elevation. In fact, the warrior seemed extremely relieved that the old man was the cause of his anxiety over the last several days.
Jon’lan signed that all was well even as he saw the question in his wife’s eyes. The children looked at the shrouded figure between Roark and Jon’lan with great interest. It had been a very long time since they had seen any person outside of their own band. Mar-ee smiled shyly at their visitor and Jon’lan felt his heart gladden, that his little daughter seemed to remember no other life except the one that they had given her.
Jon’lan clearly remembered the abuse that Mar-ee had suffered at the hands of her birth father but with each day the events of the past seemed farther and farther away.
The old man shuffled forward and Jon’lan kept a good grip on the man’s elbow. Jon’lan realized that while the weather had grown colder, his body felt strong and he also enjoyed the physical exertion.
If not for the threat of being pursued by their enemies at every turn he would enjoy traveling with his family band through the unmarked territory that they now covered. It was because of the threat of men like Marad and I’naram that Jon’lan lay awake at night listening to every sound, muscles tensed for battle. It was because of men that threatened their freedom and safety that they had fled the security of the valley below.
Jon’lan’s travels as a trader had prepared him for the challenge that he now faced as leader of this small band of people. He was after all his father’s son and Jon’lan’s father had led his own people with a strong hand.
His father also knew when to step back and allow others to make suggestions or take the lead. It was because of this forbearance that Jon’lan was allowed to journey far from home, as a trader of the people, eager to embrace adventure.
“This man comes to our band, with no harm intended, he would like a warm place to sleep.” Jon’lan spoke clearly for all to hear.
Anaay and Giad stood far off from the women and children and Jon’lan realized how difficult it would be for Anaay to trust a stranger. Jon’lan looked at the old man who weaved on his feet in weariness. He did not sense any threat from this Old One who was sent to walk the wind, still he would not trust him with the lives of his family. He signaled to Anaay to stand watch with Giad for part of the night and Anaay signed that he would watch over them all.
“Welcome grandfather.” Star Feather was the first to greet the man as Roark helped him to get settled close to the fire.
“Welcome.” Kii and Mar-ee intoned, even as Yaa kept her distance. Yet she looked at the Old One with a curious smile. Taikiuu made no move to speak, yet she handed the man both food and drink after serving Jon’lan. The Old One thanked her even as he drank the warm water and ate the dried meat, licking his fingers so that he could capture every morsel.
Taikiuu smiled secretly at Jon’lan who studied her reaction to the Old One. She was very differential to him, just as Star Feather was, yet neither woman seemed to notice his smell. Jon’lan realized that the Old One was sitting upwind of the women and he smiled slightly to himself, careful to keep his mouth closed as he caught Roark’s pained expression.
Kii leaned close to refill the man’s cup and Jon’lan chuckled quietly when his daughter made a startled expression and then quickly recovered her poise. Roark choked on his drink when Kii opened her mouth to breathe better through it and Star Feather looked at her husband curiously.
“Thank you for the food and drink.” The Old One spoke graciously, his voice was seasoned with age and life and Taikiuu thought that he would make an excellent storyteller.
“Do you travel to meet your band?” Yaa asked the old man in curiosity, she studied him unabashedly and he did not look away.
“I go to walk the wind.” The old man said with a sigh.
“But you are not yet dead.” Yaa informed him with a smile and he smiled in return.
“I noticed that a few moons ago. It seems that my band was eager to see the end of those that could not hunt for themselves or add to the cooking fires.” The old man shrugged as if this resolved matters.
“But we would never turn away a hunter of our band, if he was injured or old.” Yaa protested this injustice with all the passion of her youth.
“Perhaps if the old man or injured hunter was taking food that a young child should eat, you would reconsider.” The old man nodded sadly.
“No!” Yaa informed him even as she looked to her mother and father for reassurance, “We would just hunt more often.”
The adults smiled at each other in reaction to Yaa’s word. “From the mouth of a child.” Roark said as food was handed from person to person until everyone had their fill.
Taikiuu pulled Kii aside, “Kii please go and give Anaay and Giad their food for the evening meal.” Kii nodded yet her stomach filled with tiny flutters at the thought of seeing Anaay, she had not spoken to him at all this day and now she would have the chance.
Her mother handed her a water skin which had been warmed on stones near the fire and she also handed her a beautifully carved earthenware bowl filled with a stew that had been made with rabbit meat and bits of dried green grasses.
Taikiuu smiled at her daughter as she watched the younger woman’s eyes fill with stars at the sound of Anaay’s name. Jon’lan had asked his wife to be sure that Kii wished to become Anaay’s mate. Taikiuu could see that the passion was there, she only wanted to be sure that the young ones feelings ran deep enough to last a lifetime.
Kii walked carefully so as not to spill even a drop of the stew. The wind seemed to suck away each breath that she took and she remembered that her father told them all that as they climbed higher into the mountain it would become harder to breath and colder, much colder. Already Kii’s hands and feet felt numb and she had only left the fire moments ago. She realized that Anaay and Giad must be very cold indeed, but as she crested a hill she saw that they had their own fire which Giad carefully tended.
“There is enough food for you both.” Kii spoke as she approached, although Giad had his back turned to her he did not seemed surprised to see her and Kii realized that he had most likely been aware of her appro
ach for some time.
“Thank you!” Giad smiled warmly as he took in the food that she carried. “Anaay should be here soon.”
“That is good.” Kii looked around, waiting for Anaay to appear and when he did not, she looked back at Giad who smiled in return. He was a handsome boy of about ten summers and already he stood almost as tall as Kii. He had grown taller over the last few moons and he had also filled out due to eating enough food.
Kii wondered if she looked any different, perhaps healthier and less thin. Here with her new band there was always enough to eat and drink. Even if it meant more time spent hunting, the men did their best to make sure that everyone was well provided for. Kii smiled as she thought of how Yaa had caught both hares that went into the very stew the boys ate. Perhaps she would find the time to learn how to shoot her bow and arrow soon. Yaa would be a good teacher.
“Kii, welcome.” Anaay spoke from behind her and she whirled around in surprise. He smiled gently when her expression turn from alarm to delight. Her face told him that she welcomed his attentions and so he took advantage of his time alone with her, except for an ever watchful Giad.
“Will you walk with me?” Anaay asked quietly as he looked deeply into her eyes. She smiled as she looked at the ground, wondering how to answer him.
“I brought food for you and Giad, you should eat it while it’s warm.” Kii nodded even as she spoke, glad that words had come to her lips and her tongue had been loosened. Anaay stared at her without remorse, she was beautiful, and why would he want to look away? Yet his hearth father told him that women were shy creatures, easily startled. He was not sure that this was so with Kii, for she regarded him boldly when he looked away.
“You are beautiful, like the sunrise.” Anaay whispered for her ears alone, yet Giad laughed with mirth. Anaay blushed as he realized that he was making a fool of himself, but he didn’t care, he wanted Kii to know how he felt about her.
Keeper of the People (Book One) Page 43