The Chief rises from his seat. He knows his people need him to look strong. He must be a leader he can show no weakness. "Your Enopay name from this day forth will be Screaming Eagle."
The hut explodes into yells. All of the Enopay welcome Akelou into the tribe. Akelou sits down between Alo and Mia-Koda, watching the men and women dance around the glowing rocks. He eats Ga-Taga meat and drinks wheat beer. Many of the Enopay come over to Akelou and talk to him about his journeys and tell him about what has happened in his absence. Akelou basks in the acceptance of his people. He sits with a smile on his face and great happiness in his heart.
"Are you only going to sit, drink, and talk all night with the lonely men, Screaming Eagle?"
Akelou looks up to see a face he has thought of many times since he has been gone. She is wearing her ceremonial dress, the one she wore the night he left for the jungle. "Good to see you again, Leotie," he says, wiping Ga-Taga meat from his face. “How is your foot? Is it--”
She grabs his hand, "Will you dance with me?" she asks draging him down to the dance floor.
While she tugs him along, he begins to panic. He realizes he has never danced before. Akelou nervously watches the others, while Leotie leads him to the hot stones. Most of the Enopay are dressed in ceremonial costumes. Beating drums and women's singing lead the dancers in a primal, chaotic rhythm. As the pair starts to dance, the heat and scent of those around Akelou ease his mind, and his body takes control. He stays close to Leotie, and they dance as hard as anyone losing themselves to the night, intoxicated by the celebration.
The night gives way to morning, and many of the Enopay have left to sleep off their full bellies and tired legs. Akelou and Leotie sit very close to one another, whispering quietly into each other's ears. Enopay lie scattered on the floor, sleeping from too much celebrating. Something catches Akelou' s attention as he looks up through the opening in the ceiling. He is tired and a little drunk, but his vision is true. Leotie puts her head in his lap, and Akelou runs his fingers through her long silky hair and she starts to fall asleep.
"What are you looking at?"
"I don't know. I thought I saw something up above the hut."
"It is probably a bird, silly, maybe a raptor searching for desert snakes and mice." His eyes grow heavy and he dips in and out of sleep.
"Alo!" yells Mia-Koda, pointing at the opening in the ceiling. Akelou wakes and sees a very large bird staring into the hut.
"It is a crane from the swamps of Noshota, a messenger of the Pokwa," says Mia-Koda.
"The long-legs that live to the south?" asks the Chief. Mia-Koda raises her hand, and the bird flies down toward her. Everyone gets to their feet and stares at the bird. It is a grey bird with a long neck, a narrow pointed beak, and legs that look like fragile twigs. The bird's underbelly is the purest of white, while dark feathers circle its eyes and back. Around its neck hangs a scroll wrapped in some kind of leaf.
"It is a message from Theopa, King of the Pokwa. Someone bring water," Mia-Koda says. She stands under the moonlight that shines in from the moon hole. She opens the scroll. "There is no writing on the scroll, Mia-Koda," says the Chief.
"The script has been written with a reed dipped in the swamp mud where night mushrooms grow. Only under water that reflects moonlight will the writing become visible. The writing will not last long, for the mud will slowly wash away, hiding its message," says Mia-Koda and she pours water over the scroll.
Chief of the Enopay, old friend of the Pokwa,
A beast from an ancient time came to our swamps under the banner of the false King. He demanded our loyalty and dominion over our lands. When I refused, he slipped into my house under the cover of night and kidnapped my daughter.
He has taken her to the tower of Ogdah at the edge of the Whispering Canyons, before the Great Lake. My Pokwa warriors cannot pursue her kidnappers to these lands.
I, Theopa, leader of the Pokwa, plead for your help in her rescue. We will need you most skilled warriors if we are to reclaim my daughter. I await your reply with great hope and humility."
"We must go to their aid," says Alo, looking up at his chief.
"Why should I risk the lives of our men for some slippery long-leg in the distant swamps?" says the Chief.
"He is your ally, and the Enopay need to keep what few friends they have close," says Mia-Koda.
"Do they now, Mia-Koda? The long-legs and the Enopay have not had contact since the days before my father. We owe them nothing, and I cannot afford to sacrifice any of my men."
"What if there were a brave few who would volunteer to go to their aid?"
The Chief looks out at the remaining men still in the hut.
"I will spare only two of my ranks, but none of the greater-skilled warriors are permitted," the Chief says as a large warrior who stepped forward now backs down.
"Who of you will go to the long-legs' aid? " Mia-Koda loudly asks. Not one of the Enopay answers her request.
"I will, I will go to the aid of these Pokwa," says a voice in the back.
"Who said that? Show yourself."
Akelou steps forward, lowering to one knee before the Chief.
The Chief sees an opportunity he must take advantage of. He knows this is a great way to get this young man out of his tribe. "Ha, granted," says the Chief. "If you are in such a rush to leave us the night you return, I will not stop you."
"Is there no other man brave enough to ride with Screaming Eagle?" asks Alo. Leotie walks up behind Akelou, "I will join Screaming Eagle on his quest."
The Chief shakes his head and looks down harshly at the volunteers. "Let the woman go. Let these two who do not have Enopay blood journey to the aid of the mud dwellers. The decision is final. The hunting celebration is over. Now leave, all of you," orders the Chief.
Mia-Koda, walking with the crane on her shoulder, comes to Akelou's side. "Go, both of you. Gather what things you need, and meet Alo and me by the horses." Leotie bows, turns, and leaves the hut first.
"Ready for this are you, Screaming Eagle?" asks Alo. Akelou stares him down and stands proud. "Good to hear it," Alo says proudly.
They collect their horses and Tib before traveling down the Trail of Silent Steps. Leotie meets them, dressed in the same clothes she wore the day she entered Akelou' s camp in the Black Forest. Walking with her horse, her hair is tied back and she carries her bow.
"We leave for the swamps, and there is no turning back. I hope none of you mind a little mud," Mia-Koda says with a smirk as she takes out the Moura Stone. She scrapes the mud from the scrolls and rubs it on the stone. She releases the relic, dangling it close to the ground. She starts to swing the stone, creating a doorway to the swamps. Mia-Koda leads her horse and Tib through the door first. Leotie follows with her horse, but before Akelou can walk through the door, Alo grabs him.
"She is special in more ways than you know. Take the greatest care of her, for she will do the same for you." Alo squeezes Akelou's arm tightly before turning and walking back to the Msa-Oda. Akelou takes a last look at the city. The sun begins to rise above it, waking the world and engulfing the clouds in burning flame. He turns and walks through the doorway.
CHAPTER TWELVE
"What is that smell, Mia-Koda?" Leotie asks as she covers her nose in disgust.
"That is the delicate swamp mushroom, child. They release a potent-smelling pollen when disturbed."
Mia-Koda raises her staff, and its tip shines. The air shimmers, reflecting the light from Mia-Koda's staff. Akelou waves his hand through the glittering particles and watches the pollen swirl around his fingers. Mia-Koda lowers her staff, and the pollen slowly fades.
"The Moura stone brought us here because the ink used in the scroll is made from this mud. We are in the domain of the Pokwa, and it won't be long until we are noticed. The Pokwa are a proud and powerful race who will hold you to your words, so watch what you say. You must all be careful around the younglings, their vibrant colored skin secretes some of the strongest tox
in I have encountered."
Mia-Koda swings her staff suddenly, and brings it to a stop in front of Akelou's face. Akelou steps back defensively, staring at Mia-Koda. She turns her staff to show him a dart lodged in the wood. "We are not alone. This is a poison dart used by the Pokwa guard. The color and groove patterns on its surface will tell you its maker." Mia-Koda looks around, "Show yourself . . . we come at the request of Theopa, your king." She lifts her staff toward the trees, "They will be hiding high on the trunks."
Akelou looks around him but sees only foliage. Staring at the trees, he takes a step closer and makes out two large eyes staring down at him. He sees the creature with its long legs gripping the tree and a dart blower pressed to its lips. The Pokwa, realizing it has been spotted, leaps from the treetop. It lands with a splash. The horses become restless and start kicking around in the muddy water. The Pokwa puts its dart blower away and grabs a weapon from its back. It is a staff with a large stone tied to it with Pokwa rope. Akelou has never seen a creature like this. It resembles a common tree frog but stands taller than a man. His skin is a dark muddy color with large stripes, and he wears body armor made from the bark of trees. On his face there are three thin markings carved into his skin.
Leotie has taken a defensive position behind Mia-Koda with her bow drawn. Tib stands on Leotie's horse with his fists clenched, ready for a fight.
"You can tell the other Pokwa guards they can lower their dart blowers . . . we come to aid the Pokwa, not to harm you."
The Pokwa croaks and stomps its feet at Mia-Koda.
"I was summoned from a scroll by King Theopa. We came as soon as we were able."
The Pokwa swings its weapon and inflates its large throat, making a vibrating sound that disturbs the water around it. Akelou hears other Pokwa leaping from the trees overhead. They land in blurs, showering Akelou and his companions in muddy water. The horses become frantic and throw Tib from their back. He lands on the ground and sinks into the mud. Struggling to free himself, he screams, flailing his arms and legs to stay above the water. Mia-Koda rolls her eyes and helps Tib up from the mud. The Pokwa guards surrounds them, brandishing their weapons and communicating to each other in their language.
"Let them pass, Doa, she is friend to the Pokwa-she was a friend to my father." The circle opens, and a very large, battle-worn Pokwa walks through. His armor is greater and finer than the others. His helmet is covered with large teeth, and a strange symbol is carved on it, similar to Akelou's necklace. When this large Pokwa mentions the death of his father, all the Pokwa fill their throats with air and bellow.
"You must be Oboe, son of Obe. I knew your taken father well. He was a great warrior and leader of the Pokwa. I hope your family is healthy and your mate strong," Mia-Koda says and she bows to the Pokwa. "We have traveled with speed by means I will not explain. I have read the scrolls written by your king. We have come to the aid of the Pokwa and seek to hold a council with the court. This is Leotie, a fierce warrior and skilled tracker." Leotie lowers her bow and bows to the Pokwa. "This is Akelou, adopted son of the Meno farmer Dirty Hands and nephew to Black Claw, who was known to the Pokwa."
Oboe looks at Akelou, "I mourned the loss of the Menoli warriors killed by the cursed beast that now plagues us. I led a small war party to aid the fallen city, but we arrived too late. Come, Mia-Koda . . . we leave for the city. You will be safe while you are under the protection of our guard."
They follow Oboe deep into the swamp and Akelou watches the Pokwa walk awkwardly in the shallows but once they are in the deep mud they move with great agility. Leotie and Akelou struggle to wade through the swamps, tirelessly defending themselves from the many biting and pestering insects. This is the land of the Pokwa and they are well suited to survive here were most creatures could not. The Pokwa wait for the hordes of insects to come, engulfing them by jumping through the swarms with their gaping mouths. The Pokwa keep circling the swarm, trapping the school of insects into a tight ball. When they are done only a few bugs are left.
"How is Theopa dealing with the kidnapping of his daughter?" Mia-Koda asks Oboe.
"Like any parent whose son or daughter has been kidnapped. He is filled with rage, and no Pokwa sleeps soundly until his taken daughter is returned. The guard is tense, and the armory is busy carving darts and shaping weapons." He holds out his large hands, "Wait here as I talk to the inner guard who will tell others of our coming."
Oboe crouches down and leaps high onto a nearby tree.
"What do they mean by 'taken' daughter Mia-Koda?" Leotie asks.
"Well, their young are sent away to survive alone in the swamps after they hatch. The Pokwa eggs are fertilized randomly by males who have earned breeding rights. When the talepoles return from the open swamps, they are adopted into families. After they are adopted, the young Pokwa are treated as if the same blood runs through their veins. It is why the bond between the generations is so strong."
Akelou thinks to himself how wonderful a system this is. He wishes he had lived here as a child where he would not have been ridiculed for being different. Oboe lands beside Mia-Koda, splashing Akelou and Leotie and stirring the horses, which toss Tib from their back. He splashes mud and shakes his fists at the Pokwa. "Come . . . we are close now. The king will be waiting for us," says Oboe.
They come to the city and begin to see the half submerged mud homes of the Pokwa. Eyes pop out of small openings as they walk to the muddy home of the king. Younglings jump in and out of the water wrestling with each other. Their bright skin makes them easy to see against the dull colors of the swamp. The thinner and taller Pokwa females chase after their young. On their arms and wrists they wear jewelry made from bone and local stones. These bracelets and necklaces define their marital and social status within the city.
A crowd begins to gather around the visitors. Akelou can feel their stares of distrust, and he is reminded of when he first came to the Enopay. But at least the Pokwa are not throwing stones at him. The males and a few female Pokwa rise from their huts with weapons in hand, responding to the commotion outside. Akelou and his companions approach the entrance to the Choa, a mountain made of dried mud, stones, trees, and grasses, home of the Pokwa king and his court. In the center of the mountain is a monumental boulder with a flat, chiseled face. Akelou wonders where and how such a massive rock came to this swamp and what powerful magic was able to move it in this mud. High on the boulder is a carved opening that leads into the king's court. A terrace protrudes over the swamp below, and Akelou watches a figure disappear from it.
Mia-Koda turns and speaks, "Tib, stay here with the horses. We will not be long." He quickly agrees and throws her a scowling look while standing on Akima, still covered in mud from his falls.
Walking through the guarded entrance, they come to the breeding hall where they follow a narrow path between the breeding pools. The Pokwa females attending to the pools leap onto the edges of the path. They aggressively guard the pools and appear ready to strike at any moment. Their eyes are filled with the gaze of a mother defending her young, and Akelou understands he must be careful.
Once they are out of the breeding hall, Oboe leads them to a circular stairway made from tree roots, and rock. Both Akelou and Leotie struggle to climb the steps. "You could not use the Maura Stone to bring us to the top of these stairs could you Mia-Koda?" asks Leotie with a tone.
"And what do you think the Pokwa guard would do to three strangers that appear out of nowhere, only footsteps away from their king's door?"
Once up the stairs, they come to a hallway that leads to a single, heavily guarded door that is finely chiseled and engraved with Pokwa symbols. Mia-Koda explains, "That is the entrance to the hall where Theopa and his court sit. The king is powerful and well respected by the Pokwa, but the Pokwa court is equal to him. They share power, forming a balance of governing over the Pokwa. Not all Pokwa can speak in the common tongue, but the king does, hard as it is to understand him. Follow my lead, and make no sudden movements or outburst
s."
Mia-Koda approaches the guards defending the door to the hall, she indicates that Leotie and Akelou should leave their weapons behind. The guards lower their spears only after Akelou's and Leotie's weapons are on the ground. The hall is carved from the great Choa stone. A few crude, chiseled columns connect the mud-covered floor to the ceiling. The king sits on a throne made from an uprooted tree, and below him is a round table carved from the Choa stone. The nine Pokwa members of the court, who are of different ages, colors, and sexes, sit at this table. The eldest members of the Pokwa court sits closest to the king. Three of the nine are female, two of whom look to be of a high social class, for they wear jewelry covering their arms and wrists. The third Pokwa female could almost be mistaken for a male warrior if not for the feminine decoration on her arms. A handprint made from their own blood appears on the stone in front of their place at the table. Mia-Koda walks to the stone and bows to the court and to its king. Akelou and Leotie follow.
"We come before you, Theopa, answering your scroll." The only response Mia-Koda receives from the court and its king is a defiant silence. The king rises from his throne and speaks.
"This is the answer the chief of the Enopay gives me. I ask for aid in a time of great need, and he sends only two of his people. He sends the Pokwa two children and an old woman. This is how the Enopay disrespect the Pokwa in a time of great crisis." The court fills the hall with croaking and the stomping of feet.
Mia-Koda calmly raises her hands and speaks, "The Enopay chief has allowed two great warriors to come to your aid wise King. Leotie of the Enopay is their greatest tracker. She is a fierce and proven warrior. She will be valuable in finding and rescuing your daughter."
Leotie looks up to the king, "I will not stop until your daughter is returned. This I pledge with my life on the honor of my people."
The New World (The Last Delar) Page 17