As the Leader turned, he noticed Oh’Dar standing there. Instead of trying to repair the damage, he turned to Akule and said, “You wanted to talk to me about something? If so, then walk with me.” And he headed for the exit.
While Oh’Dar was waiting for the scraps, Kweeuu took off to beg for food from the tables. Oh’Dar chased after the little cub and scooped him up in his arms. Then Khon’Tor mentioned his name, and he paused. He stood frozen, a few feet away from the two males.
Oh’Dar heard everything the Leader said; that he would be the ruin of everyone there. It would be his fault that the People would suffer. And his mother would take the blame.
Khon’Tor’s words cut him to the quick.
Oh’Dar walked blankly back to collect the scraps from the females, thanked them, and hurried back to his workshop with Kweeuu. He closed the door behind them, thankful for a place of his own where he could deal with his feelings in private.
Adult males were not supposed to cry, but Oh’Dar was not yet fully an adult. He still sometimes felt very young, despite being only a few years from pairing age.
He dropped the scraps for Kweeuu, who readily scarfed them up, then sank down on the nearest stack of furs. Burying his face in his hands, Oh’Dar let the tears flow. How he wished he was young enough for his mother or Nadiwani to be there to hold him.
As bad as Oh’Dar had felt before, at least he knew he had a home with the People. Now he did not know where to go. He could go to the Brothers, but Adia and Acaraho would come and get him. He could not tell them what he had overheard. He knew they would be furious to learn what Khon’Tor had said about him.
“Someone is looking for him.” “He has family somewhere.” The words echoed in his mind. Oh’Dar wondered if it could be true. Was there a Waschini family somewhere wondering what had become of him? Odd that it had never occurred to him before.
I wonder if I could find them? And would they want me back? I need to ask mother again about how she found me. Maybe there is a clue somewhere to help me find my Waschini family.
For the first time, Oh’Dar realized how much he loved this family. He did not want to leave them. But he would not be the cause for any harm coming to them either.
Oh’Dar did not get any work done that day. He stayed in his workshop, nursing his wounds and absent-mindedly teaching Kweeuu new tricks.
If, as she had with Nootau and Nimida, Urilla Wuti had established a Connection for Adia with Oh’Dar, the Healer would have known the boy was in distress. But Urilla Wuti had not, and her distraction over Acaraho was occupying her mind. Strong emotions always dampened the seventh sense.
Akule and Khon’Tor had walked to the Great Entrance to talk. Standing in the middle of the cave, all was silent except for the drip of water from condensation on the stalactites above.
“Khon’Tor, I am thinking of asking to be paired. Do you know when the High Council will be considering pairings again?”
Khon’Tor was surprised. He had not thought about whether Akule was paired or not.
“It has been a long time since the last decent-sized pairing ceremony. I will find out.” Khon’Tor was again thinking about his own situation.
“Thank you, Adoeete.” And Akule left to take his shift as watcher.
The Leader sat down on one of the seating stones along the perimeter. There had not been a full-scale Ashwea Awhidi since Adia rescued Oh’Dar.
Khon’Tor decided it was time to select a mate. When he sent word to the High Council on Akule’s behalf, he decided he would also ask about the youngest females available for his consideration.
He needed an heir, and besides, it felt like a lifetime since he had enjoyed himself with Hakani. Just thinking about it started his pulse racing. Only his fear of exposure had held his drive in check all these years. He steeled his thoughts against remembering the sheer pleasure of taking a female despite her protestations—so easily overpowering her, forcing himself inside her, taking what he wanted—the satisfaction of her soft flesh yielding to his assault.
Yes, it has been too long.
Adia was excited to give Acaraho the news that she could learn to create the same third-dimensional Connection they had experienced the night before. And once she learned how to do this, she and Acaraho could share whatever experiences they wished with no real-world repercussions.
Once again, the Great Mother had answered, providing a solution to their suffering that neither could ever have imagined.
As Adia was about to go and find Acaraho, Nadiwani came to find her. The Helper entered the room, took one look at Adia, and stopped short.
“What have you done?” she blurted out. “What have you done, Adia?” She repeated the question, this time as if Adia knew full well what she had done.
“I do not know what you are talking about!” Adia looked at Nadiwani, her brows knitted together in genuine confusion.
Then Adia remembered that Nadiwani also possessed a relatively well-developed seventh sense, even if it was not strong enough for her to be a Healer. Uh-oh.
Nadiwani stood with her arms crossed over her chest and looked at Adia disapprovingly.
“It is not what you think,” answered Adia. “And I cannot explain it right now, but I hope I can someday!” Urilla Wuti had not given her permission to tell Nadiwani about the Connection.
“Alright, Adia. Say what you will. But be careful,” said Nadiwani.
Despite Adia’s denial, Nadiwani was convinced that Acaraho and Adia had mated.
Despite Adia’s protestations, Nadiwani still thought it likely that Acaraho was the sire of Nootau and Nimida, as much as she wanted to believe the contrary. If it were true, then on one level, Nadiwani was glad they had finally given in. She could see how much they loved each other, and she hated to see them suffer as they did. But she also knew that Adia was devoted to her position as Healer. If things continued, Adia would have to step down.
Now that they had started down that road, Nadiwani could only pray that Adia would henceforth take successful precautions to avoid being seeded again.
Khon’Tor sent word to the High Council Overseer inquiring about the next full celebration of pairings. Kurak’Kahn sent a reply that it would be three springs hence.
Khon’Tor decided to make a general announcement telling the parents to consider which of their offspring would be of age and would be interested in being paired, and asking the singles to give thought to their situations. For his purposes, he must talk to the Leaders of each of the Communities to learn who would be available for pairing. Khon’Tor was confident that any of his peers would be thrilled should one of their females be paired with the great Leader of the People of the High Rocks.
Word of the general assembly spread very quickly, and the community was humming with speculation about the possible reasons for it.
Adia found Acaraho leaving a meeting with the guards and watchers. He signed to her to join him as he walked away from the group. She stepped in line with him and waited until they were out of earshot before speaking.
“I connected with Urilla Wuti. Yes, I can learn how to re-create last night. Well,” Adia said, blushing, “Not last night exactly, but the experience of being together while still in the Dream World,” she explained.
Acaraho listened intently as they walked along, occasionally glancing over at her as they talked. He tried to focus, but his thoughts kept going back to the night before. That they could experience being together like that again, as real as it felt, started his heart pounding.
“Forgive my eagerness, Adia,” he said, smiling. “But when do your lessons start?” and he laughed joyously.
She laughed with him.
“I have never been so anxious to turn in as I will be tonight,” he teased her, reading her mind. He knew he was making her blush, and that pleased him no end. He loved his effect on her, and hers on him.
From now on, the nighttime farewell, “Sweet Dreams,” would carry a special meaning for both of them.
Later, Adia realized she had not seen Oh’Dar all day. She decided he must be in his workshop. Not wanting to be an overbearing mother, she resisted the inclination to check in on him. However, if he did not show up at mealtime, she would risk it anyway. No matter how excited he was about his projects, he still had to eat.
Mealtime came, and Oh’Dar showed up as expected. The five of them sat together; Adia, Nootau, Nadiwani, Oh’Dar, and Acaraho. Not too long after, Mapiya, Haiwee, and Pakuna joined them.
“What do you think the general assembly is about?” asked Mapiya. Given their rank, she thought that Adia or Acaraho might know.
“I have no clue,” answered Adia. Acaraho said that he did not either.
“Well, at least it is nothing to worry about then,” observed Haiwee. She was right; if there were trouble, one of them, and probably both, would already know of it.
Adia noticed that Oh’Dar was picking at his food.
Her heart sank. Oh no, she thought. Please do not let this start up again. And he was so happy just yesterday!
Kweeuu scampered around joyfully from table to table, charming scraps from each person there. Adia noticed and mentioned it to Oh’Dar.
“That cub is going to be as fat as a log. Perhaps you should keep him back in our room during mealtimes?” she suggested, trying to draw him out.
“Alright, Mama. I will. Do you think we could spend some time together tonight, just you and I?” he asked tentatively.
“Well, of course,” she replied. Oh’Dar had never asked this before, so she was both happy and concerned. “I will be sure to get back to our quarters early.”
Her earlier distraction with Acaraho cleared as she realized her son was again struggling with something.
Adia made sure she did as she had said. She was back in time to ensure that, if need be, they would have the whole evening together.
Adia walked into the Healer’s Quarters to find Oh’Dar on his sleeping mat, playing with Kweeuu. She noticed he had put his bear up on a higher ledge, presumably because Kweeuu had tried to claim it as his own.
“I see that your bear is now in a safer place,” she remarked.
“Yes, Kweeuu got hold of him earlier and was about to tear him up. I am thinking of making Kweeuu something similar to play with from one of the skins,” he replied.
“What a great idea. I am sure he will love that. And perhaps it will keep him out of everything else,” Adia said, smiling as she went over and sat down next to Oh’Dar. As she did, he leaned over and fell into her arms. She cradled him as she had when he was a little boy, relishing that he still needed her, even while her heart was breaking that he was so sad.
“Mama,” he said, his nose buried in her neck. “Would you tell me again how you found me? Only, this time, go slowly and do not leave anything out,” he asked.
“Of course, Oh’Dar. I will try to remember everything,” she said, leaning back against the wall so they could sit more comfortably.
Once settled, she began.
“It was nearly Fall. I was preparing to take a satchel of Goldenseal roots to Ithua. It had been an excellent harvest, and the plants take five to seven cycles to mature. I knew she could use them—any Healer could. I set out in the morning, planning to be back by twilight. Nadiwani was worried that I was going while Khon’Tor was away at a High Council meeting, but I felt compelled to.
“The waters of the river were high where I usually crossed it, so I was forced to take a longer route. It was a beautiful morning, and the air was filled with birdsong and the sweet fragrance of the late-blooming flowers,” she continued.
“As I came to a clearing, I saw a wooden construction in the distance with two horses still tied to it. Honovi later told me it is called a wagon. I knew something was wrong, so I approached. I unlashed the horses, and they took off in opposite directions. There were two Waschini people there who had returned to the Mother. Whoever killed them tried to make it look like the work of the Brothers.”
She stopped.
“Go on, Mama, do not worry. I did not know them; it will not hurt me,” he lied. Adia wanted to do as he said, but there were certain details about his parents’ slaughter that she would never tell him.
“Alright. It was clear they had not died naturally. I said a prayer for them, and as I was turning to go, I heard something. It was your sweet little voice coming from inside the wagon. However those who harmed the couple did not discover you, I do not know. When I moved the covers, you were lying there looking up at me, grinning away, your beautiful sky blue eyes smiling. I knew I could not leave you, so I gathered you up and brought you back inside the Goldenseal satchel. There were a couple of items with you, and your bear, which you still have. The other items I put away for someday when you were older and would be able to take care of them,” she finished.
“What were the other items? I do not remember you telling me that part before,” his voice filled with excitement.
“One was a little blanket that was with you in your sleeping box. It was the same color as your eyes and embellished with some type of stitching. The other was a locket.”
“A locket?” he asked.
“Yes. I will get them for you if you want. You are old enough to take care of them now,” said Adia.
Much as she hated to stand up and have him stop cuddling with her, Adia got up and retrieved the blanket and locket. Many years before, she had put them out of the way of his little inquisitive hands for safekeeping.
Is’Taqa had returned the locket, explaining that Acaraho had handed it to him the night they rescued her after Khon’Tor’s attack. Adia had thought for sure it was lost, and she cried tears of joy when she saw it, though it saddened her that the little pouch had been destroyed. The last she remembered of it was Khon’Tor ripping the pouch open with his teeth and tossing it to the treetops below. Then he had held the locket up in front of her face and shouted at her just before he hit her.
Adia sat down next to Oh’Dar once more. She first handed him the soft little blanket. He rubbed it against his face before turning it over to look at the embroidery.
After he had looked the blanket over, she told him to put his hand out, and she placed the locket in his open palm. She showed him how to open it and pointed out the two pictures inside.
“I do not know how it was created, but those are images of your mother and father, Oh’Dar,” she explained.
Oh’Dar peered at the little pictures and looked up at Adia.
“You are my mother, and Acaraho is my father.” He stared at the locket for a long time.
Adia spoke once more. “Please find a safe place for them, out of sight. Khon’Tor was not pleased with me for bringing them back with you. He was afraid that the locket could identify you.” She hesitated to say that but felt she needed to give some explanation.
Oh’Dar said he would and hugged his mother again. They sat together and spoke of other things.
When they had stopped talking, and Oh’Dar was alone again, he picked up the locket. He raised it as close to his eyes as he could focus. He had never seen anything like it. He could not identify the stone it was made from—it was hard and shiny, and did not really appear to be stone at all.
He thought he could see the same light eyes in each of the images. The woman had dark curly hair. The man had the same straight dark hair as his. The wrappings they wore were foreign to him. In the back of his mind, Oh’Dar was thinking that these were the clues he had been hoping to find.
Later, Oh’Dar did as his mother had said and found a safe place for the locket and the blanket. He planned to spend the rest of the cold indoor season fashioning himself wrappings that did not resemble the Brothers’ style at all. He was setting his plans in motion, and he wanted no repercussions for the Brothers.
The next two days passed, and it was time. Happy with anticipation, everyone arrived ahead of the assembly horn. Acaraho and Adia also looked forward to the meeting, having no concerns about whatever the announcement
would be.
As usual, everyone became quiet when Khon’Tor walked to the front of the room and raised his hand to speak.
“Thank you for coming. Please be sure to spread the word to anyone not in attendance this afternoon. It has been many years since the last full Ashwea Awhidi. As you remember, all those since included far fewer pairings. However, the High Council Overseer has informed me that the High Council will be accepting pairing requests for a large-scale ceremony.
“Parents, you should consider which of your offspring might be ready to be paired. Unpaired adults, please also consider your situations. I will be sending initial word back to the High Council by the time the forsythia bloom, so please let me know if you are interested.
“The High Council will be holding the Ashwea Awhidi three springs hence. Carefully consider this opportunity since we do not know how soon another may be offered. That is all.” And with that, he dropped his hand, signaling he was done.
The room filled with happy conversation. Akule was standing at the back, already wondering with whom he might be paired. He had been a bachelor for so long, but it was time. He longed to have a family of his own. It was seeing how happy Acaraho and Adia were that had led him to reconsider his single status.
Adia saw Nootau looking over questioningly at her—by that time, he would be old enough to be paired—but she ignored him. Nootau was only a little over a year younger than Oh’Dar, but from what Adia could tell, the Washini seemed to mature later than the People. She could see that Nootau would be ready to take a mate by the time of this next Ashwea Awhidi.
Acaraho looked over at Nootau and winked at him. The young male understood that his mother did not welcome the thought that he was growing up, and he grinned back at Acaraho.
Nootau might have inherited his father’s build, but he had not inherited his father’s personality. Where Khon’Tor was driven, aggressive, self-centered, Nootau was amiable, kind, and generous. It was a shame that his relationship to Khon’Tor would never be known; Nootau would have made a great Leader.
Oh'Dar's Quest Page 6