The Gorge (The Others Book 1)

by Joe Zeigler

  Ohad almost swooned. But he calmed himself quickly. After all, this was his due. He was a great trader, an expert at placing in people’s hands exactly what they needed at the exact time that they needed it. Of course, he deserved a handsome profit.

  “Twice as much, you say?”

  “Yes, Ohad, slightly more than double as much flint as you told me to ask for.”

  Ohad felt a moment of uncertainty. This was very unlike his experience with the Traders. Typically, they would strike a fair exchange, though he always resented how they cut into his profit, so he avoided dealing with them unless necessary. Never before had he enjoyed such advantage in trading with them. He recovered quickly, thinking, Ah, again I have outdone myself. The combs are obviously worth much more than I have estimated—twice as much, in fact. After all, the worth of something is what someone is willing to pay. He swelled with pride at the thought of his exclusive arrangement with Itzli of the Cliff Dwellers.

  He would have to forgo selling combs this year in favor of selling his original flint inventory to Danijel, as well as twice as much on the open market. Ohad was very satisfied with himself and well fed, so he leaned back, clutching the skin of fermented blue agave. All was good. He would arrange things with Ixchel in the morning, perhaps requiring her to audition for the job. He could give her some pointers. He was sure she would welcome any help and guidance that he would offer. This might be the beginning of a new life for her, organized by me. I am the kind of man who believes it important to help others, and I’m sure Ixchel will show her appreciation.

  The Lowland

  Micaela had helped Eijá get settled. She had to retrieve Eijá’s belongings, including her shelter, from those who had claimed them. “We were just carrying them for Eijá when Eijá went missing,” they now said.

  Then she hurried to Ohad’s shelter, only to find him sleeping by the fire. He probably doesn’t know I’m back, she thought as she covered him with a robe and arranged her sleeping place. He would be happy to see her in the morning.

  The next day started in a pleasurable fashion as the People anticipated arriving and settling in for the winter. They were in no hurry this morning since they did not have far to go. On the far side of the lake, they could see the city built on a hill rising from between the lake and the cliffs beyond. From this distance, it looked like a monolith. Looking closer, they would see that the city consisted of rows of buildings terraced up the hillside, with an open common area and market on a flat ledge about one-third of the way down the hill. On the very top was the conclave of the religious leaders working to know Sun better and to praise him. The other side of the hill, the south side, was used for agricultural pursuits on terraced fields.

  ***

  Finally, the People were assembled—wearing their finest clothing—and prepared for their march into the city of the Lowland. The last day of the journey was easy—only two hours—and they walked into the town in fine array to exchange greetings with the Lowlanders, many of whom were friends from previous years.

  As they moved onto the green grass of the common area, Micaela remembered one of the young men of the town explaining how it was shaped like a slight bowl, almost indistinguishable. It collected rainwater and directed it to the south side of the hill to supply a sophisticated irrigation system. Though she was not allowed to see it, the young man further explained that the religious conclave was aptly named for its shape because it also directed water to the irrigation system for the crops. Stone walls formed the back of the shops around the Plaza, or common area, the walls broken only by the streets leading up through the top three terraces to the Temple. The open-air vendors set up their booths on the grass of the Plaza, with the walls at their back only during the winter. The booths were licensed to be ten feet wide and ten feet deep. The only exception was at the northern end, where the Traders occupied the entire wall and had purchased the shops located there. They had broken out the wall in many places, creating a huge store that spread both inside the structure and out onto the common with the other vendors. Their presentation was spectacular. Even from the other side of the Plaza, Ohad could see that the huge shop was busy serving customers.

  The women brought their agave juice to the Traders for the final step. It had fermented enough to drink, though it would continue to ferment and become stronger until it finally went sour. However, each batch was different, either because of the peculiarity of the juice or the rate of fermentation due to heat or other factors. Even the kind of skin it was in had an effect. Only the Traders were trusted to collect the thick white fluid that the women poured into the measuring jug, receiving a token for each jugful. The Traders would then blend all the contributions together in an enormous fired-clay pot and achieve a relatively consistent product. The women could then retrieve their blue agave, minus a small fee, or use the tokens for other purchases.

  Ohad, though small-time compared to this, was not impressed. Indeed, he thought, they have many sales and exchange much product. But they are artless and don’t have the profit margins that I enjoy. And their expenses—it costs a lot to put on such a show. Then they have to share the profits among their people, whereas I keep my profits to myself, other than hiring for specific one-off tasks, like Glooscap’s trading for the flint. The customers know the Traders are well off and bargain hard—one reason their margins are slim. I never want to display my wealth. If people knew how much I have, they would drive harder bargains. So, in public, I live like a pauper. Supporting Micaela is my only extravagance.

  About six hundred people lived here year-round, with the population almost doubling during the winter. Danijel’s people had purchased land and built their own dwellings on the first terrace, considered less desirable to the Lowlanders because it was prone to flooding in the springtime. But the land was cheap, and they could spread out into the surrounding valley. If it flooded, it happened after the People headed back to the Highland. When they returned, it was simply a matter of shoveling out the dirt and debris from the stone dwellings. Everyone from their group lived in this area during the winter, except Ohad. On the Plaza level, he rented a small building that he and Micaela lived in and from which he conducted his business.

  After the official welcome by the Lowlanders and time spent chatting with old friends, the People moved back down the hill to the first terrace and started to move in and organize themselves. Ohad and Micaela moved Ohad’s goods and belongings into his building. He would set up shop the next day. Plenty of time, and he was confident he had a monopoly on flint this year. Prices would go up.

  Ohad’s Fall

  The first order of business was to arrange things with Ixchel. She would be on the first level, setting up her shelter. He knew she did not own a dwelling. Perhaps if he offered to let her and her child live with him and Micaela, he would be able to pay her less for this arrangement. She could help Micaela with the chores and carry inventory when they moved north in the spring. That might be very helpful, as he was anticipating expansion driven by the profit from his flint monopoly.

  There could be no sex, of course. He would never allow someone living with him to get that close. Sex was best handled at a distance, with strangers. With few exceptions, he would barter for favors. Şule had visited him recently, to his great pleasure. But Ixchel could audition and be trained.

  As he stepped from his building onto the Plaza, he saw that activity had increased at the Traders’ shop and that even more people were arriving. Interesting, but he would survey the competition later. First Ixchel.

  ***

  Micaela had unpacked, organized the dwelling, and went off and about visiting with her friends among the Lowlanders. She was very pleased to see them, as they were to see her. Micaela was popular with the Lowlanders, and she was glad to realize they didn’t know about the Breeding. She saw Eijá and beckoned her over.

  “Eijá, are you settled yet?” she asked.

  Eijá smiled sadly. “Nothing to settle, really. I set up the shelter an
d arranged the few furs that you were so kind to get back for me. But that’s it.”

  “Oh, Eijá, that’s too sad. Come up to the Plaza and live with Ohad and me. There is plenty of room.”

  Eijá didn’t know how to respond. She didn’t want to have anything to do with Ohad or even to be anywhere near him. Eijá understood. He thought of no one but himself. He was greedy, driven by a philosophy of “What’s in it for me?”—and he wasn’t shy about it. He considered the axiom of making decisions based on only his best advantage and profit. Ohad had come to this profound philosophical insight only after years of consideration and thought.

  And she had seen him pounding away on top of Micaela during the Breeding. He is a greedy, evil, self-centered, pompous man. I do not understand how Micaela could be so blind. But it wasn’t her place to say anything, so she just waffled at the suggestion that she move in with them. Micaela needed to get out and away from Ohad—as far as possible.

  ***

  Danijel was without responsibilities for the first time, and he was enjoying the freedom with Liùsaidh. Ixchel worked outside the stone dwelling, organizing their belongings, pretending to be unaware of what was going on within. She went about her work, smiling knowingly, though she was years younger than those occupied within.

  “Ixchel,” Ohad called as he approached, “what are you doing?”

  He was surprised to find Ixchel outside Danijel’s dwelling and, being Ohad, suspected the worst. Actually, he was pleased with having caught the poor girl stealing, for now, he had more to hold over her head to entice her to do what he wanted.

  He grasped her arm and pulled. “Get away from here. These are Danijel’s things, not yours.” Again, he asked rhetorically, “What are you doing?”

  “Turn me loose,” Ixchel shouted, surprising Ohad. He thought she would have wanted to be quiet rather than call attention to her theft. “Let go of me, you fool,” Ixchel shouted again.

  Then Danijel appeared at the door, naked and out of breath. “What is going on here?” he asked.

  Ixchel looked at Danijel. Then her eyes dropped to the blood-engorged protrusion between his legs. My God, it’s huge! It was damp and glistening in the Sun and appeared to be throbbing. Ixchel felt herself become instantly wet. She flushed brightly as she felt the dampness between her legs. It was big, hypnotic, and it seemed to point right at her. Mesmerized, she could not keep her eyes off it.

  “I caught this young girl, Ixchel, rifling through your belongings,” Ohad responded, still holding her arm in his grip.

  “Ohad, release her! She is not rifling; she is organizing. Ixchel lives with us now, with Liùsaidh and me, as part of our family.”

  Ohad released his grip, shocked. Why, you dirty old man, he thought, not having the nerve to speak his thoughts aloud. She is young enough to be your daughter.

  “Well…indeed…I see,” Ohad said, at a loss for words. “Well, regardless, I have come looking for her to offer honest employment. Good paying work. However, now that I understand the arrangement, I’ll deliver the payment to you.”

  “Nah, leave her be. She is with child. It’s not a time for hard work. And she’ll be busy helping with chores here. Now, go away,” Danijel said dismissively as he turned back toward the dwelling.

  “It is not difficult work, Danijel. I simply require her to entertain some older gentlemen.” Ohad spoke to Danijel’s back.

  Turning, Danijel looked at him and ordered in quite a firm voice, “Go away.”

  Danijel’s eyes blazed, and Ohad scurried away.

  Dazed, Ixchel collapsed to a sitting position, cross-legged on the ground.

  As Ohad made his way back up the hill, he calculated the ramifications. He would never have expected such behavior from Danijel. And, more surprising, Liùsaidh must be in it with him. Or perhaps not. Maybe Liùsaidh was the scorned woman aching for revenge. This might be turned to my benefit, Ohad thought. In the meantime, he must find a substitute for the elders by tomorrow night.

  Micaela had his supper prepared when he returned, and though he would never tell her, it was spectacular, enhanced by ingredients only available in the city. There was rabbit, seasoned with a delightful flavor unfamiliar to Ohad; corn, of course, both roasted and fried; mush, which he suspected was corn-based but which tasted sweet; three kinds of bread; and blue agave to lubricate consumption.

  ***

  “You are going to have to find a boy for that girl,” Danijel said as he entered the dwelling.

  “You mean Ixchel?” Liùsaidh asked.

  “Yes, Ixchel, who else? When I emerged with full staff—your fault—she almost swooned. She is ripe.”

  Liùsaidh laughed loudly. “I know that, Danijel. Why do you think I brought her to you as my surrogate? You should have had her. Then everyone would be happy,” she said, shading the truth just a little. Yes, I would have been happy. It was my plan. Its success, by definition, had to make me happy. However, the way it developed makes me even more content. “It’s not going to be easy to find her a good man. That damn Breeding destroyed any chance she has of pretending virginity. And she’s pregnant.”

  “A good man will not care. He would see her through that.”

  “Ah, yes,” Liùsaidh replied, “a good man. You sound like it’s easy.”

  “Easier than you might think. There are plenty of good men. They just don’t call attention to themselves the way bad men and boys do.”

  “Then what good are they? Come here. Are you still ready, or am I to start all over again?”

  Afterward, as they lay together, Liùsaidh said, “Did Ohad put his hand on Ixchel?”

  “He did. When I came out, he was restraining her by the arm,” Danijel said.

  “That angers me.”

  “It doesn’t make me happy, either. That girl must learn to defend herself. When Ohad attacked her, she did nothing.”

  “Danijel, you know that sort of thing is not encouraged here. Men protect young ladies; it is not seemly for girls to fight.”

  “Females are expected to fight when we are attacked by such as the Raiders. They are ill-trained for it, true, but they fight nonetheless, and some die, clueless.”

  “You think we should teach her the manly arts?” Liùsaidh asked.

  Danijel laughed, thinking Liùsaidh had led him there, led him to the idea of teaching Ixchel to fight and to defend herself. Liùsaidh was a practiced warrior. In fact, she was one of the best he had ever seen, more adept than most men, with a spear or a knife, and she would want Ixchel, whom she was beginning to accept as a new daughter, to be as good. She wouldn’t suggest such a thing to a man. She would make him believe it was his idea. It used to irritate him. Now he was used to her manipulation—it was her way—and it no longer bothered him. On the rare occasion when he could not abide what she was pushing, he would just ignore her. As she usually accomplished what she wanted, she didn’t mind deferring to him the few times the matter was important to him. In the end, they both got what they needed from each other.

  ***

  The next morning Ohad set out about his business. One of the girls from the Breeding—and not necessarily the last event—would be best. He could choose among girls from years past. These were usually increasingly desperate.

  They were not the most desirable, as they were obviously not virgins. Or could I pass one off as such? But they were not hard to manipulate, as they were alone with no family, other than their fatherless child, and no friends. Though the Breeding was ostensibly an honor and a duty, the girls were ostracized or shunned, even by their relatives, and most did not have close relatives anyway, or they would not have been chosen. They were vulnerable, and Ohad could help them. They needed a friend and a job. Ohad could supply both. Perhaps that girl Eijá, he thought. She had not been in the Breeding, but something similar had gone on with her. He didn’t know what it was, but he would find out. And there was another girl used in the last Breeding. Let me think…there was Micaela, Ixchel, and Ederra. Yes, that’s
her…Ederra. Ederra was a comely thing, a young girl of fourteen with long black hair, large eyes, and a tight, compact body, and of course, she had no relatives. She would be just right for this task.

  First, he would stop at the Traders’ shop at the other end of the Plaza and greet Gedeon. He could also get an idea of what was interesting people. He could see a large group in front of the shop again today.

  Fully half of the outdoor display of wares consisted of obsidian. Obsidian formed into amulets, tools, arrowheads, spear tips, knives, axes, and jewelry. Inside was a display of religious articles made of the glittering material. The rest of the shop was filled with the usual commodities and unique items imported from the distant reach of the Traders. Ohad even spotted a very attractive display of his combs, flanked by two lovely girls who posed with their breasts exposed, partially covered by their long, thick hair, combed until it shone in the sunlight. Ohad watched a few moments and saw that the girls were happy to pause and explain combing to any potential customer who inquired. He noted they were mostly male, and he failed to count a lost sale.

  However, it was the obsidian—especially the obsidian knives—that people lusted over. They were available in every shape and color. He especially noticed an eight-inch knife, its handle in the form of a man’s lower portion and sporting a guard that resembled a large-breasted woman impaled and clinging to him.

  However, the shop offered no flint. Ohad had been right. He would enjoy a monopoly this year. He continued to be surprised that the Traders would make such an error.

  “Gedeon,” Ohad called out after seeing him inside the pueblo.

  Gedeon turned. “Ohad, you old scoundrel, where are you set up?”

  “I haven’t set out my wares yet, Gedeon. I’ll do so tomorrow. You certainly have an impressive display. This must have cost you a fortune,” Ohad said, thinking that the Traders had invested much more than they would earn. “My God, Gedeon, you have rented most of the Plaza and an entire row of buildings and busted the walls out of them. You have quite an expense,” he continued, shaking his head and frowning. He was wondering which way to go with this. Should he encourage Gedeon to greater expenditures unto insolvency, or should he criticize and risk having an effect detrimental to his interests?