Return to the Fierce Land

by N C Bolton

  The anger Rikk had harbored toward Anek’s previous actions kindled back to life and grew like a hungry fire. How dare his uncle defy not only the One, but threaten all of them with his misguided, heartless plans? He never should have allowed Anek to come. He should have been wiser, and now his foolishness had led to this. Indecision halted him as his mind filled with possible actions.

  Vinnt stooped next to Myla and laid a hand on her shoulder. “What are you so afraid of?”

  She shook her head at him. “You don’t know. But you should. You’ve seen what he wants to do. Have you forgotten his knife at your throat?”

  “But nothing came of it.”

  “Oh, yes, it did. He told me that he could sacrifice any of you if the need arose, because you are like children who won’t fight back.” She swiped a hand across her wet face. “He said it to comfort me, to reassure me that he would keep me safe. And I’ve been afraid since then that it would come to this.”

  “To what?”

  Enmin answered, “He will make an offering of a live Devourer. He will kill it and burn the blood and flesh. Then he will offer a high sacrifice.” Enmin drew in a breath, his expression stony. “A high sacrifice is the blood and flesh of a human.”

  Vinnt’s face lost some of his ruddy color, and he turned shocked eyes to Myla.

  Her voice caught in a sob. “I know him. I believe he means to sacrifice all of you. He may spare Rikk, but not if he tries to prevent him.”

  Rikk clenched his fist. “I won’t let him. It was my choice that he’s here. I will stop him.”

  Rikk stepped forward, and Enmin grabbed his arm. “What do you purpose to do?”

  “Stop him any way I can.” Anger gave Rikk a feeling of power and mastery. He welcomed the sensation and shrugged off Enmin’s grip.

  Enmin stood in front of him. “You think he’ll listen to you? Has he listened until this moment, even after all that he’s seen and heard?”

  “I don’t care if he listens. It doesn’t matter. I will stop him.”

  Vinnt joined Enmin. “No, Rikk.”

  “Yes.” Fury gave his voice a harsh edge. “I should have withstood him long before now. I thought he’d return to the man he once was if he was away from the Fierce Land. But he’s hard now. Just as cruel as the worst headman or assassin. And I won’t let him hurt any of you. I’ll kill him if I have to.”

  Myla gasped. “No, Rikk. Please.”

  Enmin crossed his arms. “What has happened to you? You would kill? And your own uncle?”

  Vinnt stepped between them. “Stop this, all of you. We must pray and find out what to do.”

  Rikk yelled, “I don’t want to pray. I already know what to do. We’re wasting time.” He turned to go. Myla thrust out both hands while Vinnt and Enmin each grasped one of Rikk’s arms.

  He thrashed against the firm restraint, unwilling to fight them though his anger threatened to push him into violence. The memory of his childhood training in combat, long discarded, flooded back into his limbs, and he positioned his body to throw them off him.

  Myla’s cries broke through the fog of his fury. “Brother, please.”

  He took in her anguished face, so like their mother’s in her last moments of life. The image struck him hard and he slumped, ceasing his resistance. He drew in a few breaths. “All right. I won’t go after him. But I won’t let him hurt any of you either.”

  Vinnt released his hold. “We need to pray for guidance.”

  Rikk shook his head. “I’m not ready.”

  Enmin stepped away from Rikk. “I am. Myla, do you wish to pray with us?”

  “May I?” Her hopeful expression filled Rikk with shame. What sort of example had he been for her, after all his words of faith? Teaching her things he knew but didn’t practice. How disappointed she must be in him.

  “Yes, of course you may,” Enmin said. Vinnt scooped her up and settled her on a nearby log, and the two men sat next to her, closing their eyes.

  Rikk looked away from them and paced, the strength of his turmoil fueling his steps. The low sound of murmured prayers seemed to echo the old fear that he didn’t belong. If he did, he’d have wanted to pray with them instead of planning to confront Anek and force a battle with him.

  He grew tired of pacing and lowered onto a rock. Every possible path seemed blocked off. He didn’t belong in the village or the Fierce Land. He hated the worship of the Devourers, but didn’t fit in with the worshippers of the One. He wanted to be like the elders, and Vinnt and Enmin, but the memory of his early warrior training, and his father’s delight in his progress still called to him. He hated his own conflicted heart, and sat in simmering silence, hands clenched and resting on the hard stone beneath him, disgusted with his indecision.

  After a long stretch of absolute stillness a voice sounded in his mind. “You must open your hands.”

  The words thudded through him like a blow as he felt the truth of the direction they offered. He became aware of the clenched posture of his body and hands, as he perceived the powerful anger still in him, trying to grow stronger. He took a deep, shuddering breath, nodded, and focused his mind on his hands. Slowly, he opened them. His body relaxed and the powerful emotions he’d been consumed with receded, as though being poured out of him like water. He slumped, exhausted, eyes closed while he drew deep breaths. After a time he grew aware of the presence of his companions.

  “The door is open,” Enmin said. Hands were laid on his shoulders as they sang a healing prayer over him.

  Rikk perceived the meaning in his friends’ words. Something inside him that had been closed was open now. But fear of unfamiliar paths rose inside him. He’d left his first home, and now his adopted home, to find what? Were these the only trails he’d ever travel, always walking into the unknown with no outcome to count on? He put his head in his hands, struggling with himself while his friends waited in silence.

  “Shall I ever find my path?” He raised his head.

  “It stands before you.” Enmin's face held a serious, resolute expression. The fear in Rikk pushed hard, accompanied by hopelessness.

  “I have to be strong. How can I let go of myself this way?”

  Vinnt said, “All you’ll let go of are the old ways of thinking. They’ve caused you harm and pain and can’t help you anymore. Why would you go back to trusting in them?”

  “It’s all I know,” Rikk said.

  “It is not,” Enmin said. “Don’t lie. Don’t shame yourself, or those who love you.”

  A flash of fury at Enmin slashed through Rikk, eclipsing the fear for a moment. He wanted to stand and storm away. His fists slammed down onto the rock. Anger passed, yet the anxiety remained. He stared down at his closed fists then opened his hands and let the fear leave him. The power of his past had to be vanquished. He bowed his head. Weighty minutes stretched out while he prayed.

  I want to leave my old life behind and learn Your ways, as the writings promise. I have nothing to give but my heart and my will. I want to truly be Your son and learn about You. To live as the elders do. Please accept me.

  He breathed slowly for a few moments, gazed at his friends and said, “I’m ready. Pray for me.”

  Vinnt and Enmin nodded at each other before kneeling near their friend. They laid their hands on his head and shoulders and sang quietly. Rikk calmed himself as he opened his heart to receive.

  Time slowed and stopped. The last cord binding him to the past broke when he opened his mouth and sang his own song of praise from the core of his soul. Peace spread through him and laughter bubbled out. Unbound freedom coupled with awe filled his heart. Love for the One soared through him.

  He opened his eyes to see his friends grinning broadly at him and each other. They were silent for long moments as the change settled in Rikk. Finally he stood, smiled at them both, and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. His gaze swept the sky then scanned their faces.

  “I don’t know what’ll happen, but I’m not afraid anymore.”


  The three rejoined Myla, sitting near her while Rikk pulled her into a joyful embrace. He murmured, “Don’t worry. I’m all right now.”

  Rikk’s head turned at the sound of running feet and a triumphant shout. Anek burst past some boulders, gripping a large, writhing rattlesnake by the neck. Its wide-open mouth was unable to reach its captor and the tail rattled and whipped as though it would strike him instead.

  Anek’s excited voice rang out. “One of the deadliest Devourers. It metes out death in one strike. And I caught it for you, Myla. For you.”

  He stepped nearer to her and the three men shot upright. Myla’s shocked eyes stared up at the thrashing creature. “Oh, Uncle, no. This is not the way. Please throw the snake down among the rocks so it will leave. It makes me sick to look at it.”

  She shrank away, one hand on her cheek. While Anek’s shoulders slumped a bit and he stared at her, the snake’s body gave a great heave, its head whipping out of his grasp. He lunged at it, hands outstretched, just missing the flailing tail. The snake struck the calf above Myla’s wounded foot. She shrieked, and it slithered away, speeding beyond the rocks.

  Anek fell to his knees, face ashen. Myla straightened and stared at the two spots of blood on her leg.

  Rikk shouted “No!” and stretched his hand toward her.

  Anek bellowed. “You’ve done enough. You’ve doomed her with your talk against the Devourers. They’ve taken their revenge.” Harsh sobs ripped out of him. “Why didn’t they take one of you instead? Or me?”

  His hand rested on Myla’s leg just below the bite marks. His voice broke. “Oh, Child, I can’t bear to live without you or watch you die in agony.” He unsheathed his dagger. “I’ll open our veins, and we’ll both fall asleep.”

  Enmin and Vinnt stepped closer. Rikk shouted, “Stop your hand, Uncle. You choose death over life? Sister, what do you say?”

  Myla’s clear, steady voice echoed against the rocks. “Ask the One to help me.”

  Anek stood. “No.”

  Vinnt said, “You’d take her life then? So it’s true. You do love death.”

  “You’re wrong. I want to spare her the death-struggle she’ll suffer if you don’t let me help her.”

  Rikk stood between Myla and Anek, fighting down the desire to strike his uncle while keeping his mind fixed on the One. “We’ll pray for her as she asked. She has the right to decide about her own life.”

  Rikk turned, knelt, and laid his hands on Myla’s head. Enmin and Vinnt knelt down and placed hands on her shoulders. The three men bowed their heads.

  Enmin said, “We stand before You as all your creation does. Myla knows You are the Creator, the One who formed her, the One who can heal her. She asks You to help her.” He opened his eyes. “Now you speak, Myla.”

  She took in a breath. “You were with me when I lay ill as a child. I know You’re with me now. I give You my heart and my life.”

  Rikk closed his eyes and returned to prayer. His hands grew warm and intermittent trembles coursed down his limbs. When Myla’s head moved away from under his palms, he opened his eyes to see her drift backward into Vinnt’s and Enmin’s support. They lowered her down and continued their prayers. Rikk sank onto his side while a burning sensation traveled down his leg and his body shook.

  Darkness claimed him, full of pain and fear. The skin of his scalp and neck tingled with icy prickles. He rode atop a storm of panic. If he could just run. Escape. Loud groans drew out from deep within him. Each moan emptied a small measure of the agony and sorrow until the darkness lifted. He lay against the stony ground, trembling and shaken.

  Calm replaced the former anguish in the same gentle manner as he’d seen dawn displace the night. In his inner vision, he could see Myla standing upright and steady, her hands raised as she sang a praise song. His heart warmed and joy rose within him. Awareness of his own body and surroundings grew in gradual stages until he dwelt in the present once again. He opened his eyes to Vinnt’s and Enmin’s faces above him.

  He croaked out, “Myla?”

  Vinnt craned his head behind him, turned back and smiled, “She’s still receiving.”

  He tried to sit, but sank back down. “Something happened to me. First I traveled through a place of pain and darkness, and then I saw Myla in my mind. She was healthy and singing a praise song.”

  His friends looked at each other, then back at him.

  “Your first vision.” Vinnt grinned at him.

  Rikk nodded and returned the smile. “But what did the rest of it mean?”

  Enmin raised his brows. “Perhaps you are being prepared for a gift.”

  Vinnt nodded, eyes bright. “You may be called to be a bearer. Time will make it clear.”

  After a few quiet moments while Rikk pondered his experience, he struggled upright and his gaze rested on Myla. She laid still, peace written on her face and in the relaxation of her limbs. The fang marks and the reddened skin around them were gone. Her wounded foot was whole and normal. She was restored, just as he’d seen her in his mind. Gratitude flooded Rikk, and the three friends sang a jubilant song of praise while Anek sat slumped next to Myla, his eyes staring past her.

  In the quiet after the song, Anek hung his head. “I almost killed her.” His voice cracked and wavered. “I only meant to spare her, but I would have killed her.”

  Rikk’s heart wrenched, and the remains of his anger toward Anek left him.

  Enmin said, “Anek, forgive yourself. Myla wouldn’t want you to despair. She’s whole and restored now because the One loves her as He loves you.”

  Anek shook his head and straightened up. “I’m unworthy of love. Cyra knew this and turned from me. And I almost ended the life of the only person who truly loves me. I’m useless.”

  He rose and walked a short distance from them. He dropped and lay face down on the ground, arms spread out.

  Vinnt’s brows dropped and he leaned forward. “What is he doing?”

  Enmin sighed. “He’s put himself under The Silence.”

  The Silence. Rikk lowered his head. Who knew how long until he came out of it?

  “What is The Silence?” Vinnt asked.

  Enmin said, “I’ve only seen it once. Bemick was placed under it by the headman after he touched one of the headman’s wives. The Silence requires that you do nothing for yourself. You speak no words of your own, meet no one’s eyes. You must do whatever is commanded of you and nothing else.”

  Memories of Bemick assaulted Rikk’s mind, bowing his shoulders under the weight.

  Vinnt stared at Anek’s motionless form. “What happened to Bemick?”

  Enmin cleared his throat and kept his eyes down. “The headman humiliated him for many days. Made him stand until he fell in exhaustion, starved him then made him eat food and drink water until he threw up. He ordered him to lie on a hill of fire ants, and then stand up while the sun baked the stings that covered his body. It broke his mind.”

  A well of pain showed in Enmin’s eyes. “Even after The Silence was lifted, he wandered among us like a silent ghost, staring and not speaking. I used to give him food. I don’t know what finally became of him after I fled.”

  “I do.” Rikk swallowed hard and dipped his head. “Our family used to feed him, too. After years of taunting him, one of the headman’s sons boasted that he could get him to talk again. He beat Bemick, and yelled at him to speak. Told him he’d stop if he did. Bemick never spoke, didn’t even lift his arms or cover his head. He died of the beating.”

  Rikk lifted his head and stared at Vinnt. “My parents could see how upset I was afterward. They told me that what happened to Bemick was wrong. Father said the Devourers killed, but none would torture one of their own in such a manner, so perhaps the headman taught us to serve wrongly. Soon after, my parents were killed.”

  Eyes averted, Vinnt was silent for a time before he spoke. “I praise the One that you both escaped such a place.”

  Enmin gazed up at the sky, and drew in a deep breath. “Yes . . .
now . . . we must travel in the morning. We can move faster now that Myla can walk and our packs are lighter.”

  Vinnt asked, “Will Anek travel in his condition?”

  Rikk glanced from Anek’s prone body to Myla, who still lay in peaceful sleep. “He’ll do whatever we bid him until he decides to come out of it. We must be sure to command him to eat and rest. He won’t do anything but what he’s ordered to do.”

  Enmin scanned their camp. “We’ve lost time here, but I feel we can still outdistance our trackers. I don’t think they’ve found a way around the breach yet.”

  “That’s my sense also.” A nod from Vinnt followed the words.

  Enmin rose. “Then let’s prepare a meal and wait for Myla to waken.”

  He filled a cup with water and walked to Anek. “Sit up and drink this water, Anek.”

  Rikk’s shoulders relaxed when his uncle complied, then set the cup down and remained sitting. Enmin retrieved the cup and walked to one of the supply packs. Rikk studied Anek’s blank, staring eyes. He rose to set out food and often glanced back. Anek’s downward gaze never faltered.

  Chapter Eleven

  Dusk approached, bathing the clearing in gentle blue light. Anek ate, as ordered, and sat in the same spot, eyes staring down. The three other men settled near Myla. Her eyes fluttered open.

  Rikk grinned. “You’re awake.”

  “Yes. I feel so rested. In my dreams I floated in the air. It was wonderful.”

  Rikk slipped an arm behind her. “Let me help you sit up.”

  Once upright, a hand flew to her mouth and her breath caught. “Now I remember.”

  Her gaze dropped to her leg, and the expression on her face melted to one of joy. Her hands explored her calf, then her foot while tears filled her eyes. “Thank you, thank you. Oh thanks to the One.”

  She scanned the clearing and spotted Anek. “Uncle, look. My foot and leg.”

  Her joyful expression dimmed when his downward stare never moved. “Uncle?”

  She searched the faces of the three men, her eyes stopping on Rikk. “What’s wrong with him?”