Helix and the Arrival
Page 18
I watch as Korg is given a free path, thanks to the help of Crag and Tor, back up to the top of the speaking rock. I jump down to clear the way.
Korg holds his hands in the air for quiet. ‘If I might … The Arrival represents much more than hunting and so-called sacred knowledge. And in recent times, I fear, its true meaning has been somewhat lost.’
I look at Speel. His face is so screwed up that it looks as if it’s about to eat itself.
‘Before all of you were born, the Arrival was a test of leadership and bravery. And perhaps, most importantly, it was a chance for caveboys to demonstrate their true selves – what makes them special, if you like.’
It’s so quiet you could hear a bone drop. Folk are listening to every word Korg is saying, fascinated to hear some real knowledge of the past.
‘If I remember correctly, in times gone past, it was not up to the Korg – and definitely not up to the Storykeeper – to decide if a caveboy had passed his Arrival. Instead, it was voted on by those who were most important: the people of the mountain. So, if there are no objections, I throw this Arrival decision over to you, the people. Those in favour of Ug passing his Arrival, raise your voice.’
There is unanimous clapping and screaming. I think that’s a yes. Next to me, Ugthorn embraces his son, Ug.
‘Good,’ says Korg. ‘I’m glad that has been settled. Now for Helix –’
But before Korg can get another word out, a chant starts up, which I think is being led by my mother.
‘Helix! Helix! Helix!’
Korg thumps his staff into the rock three times and Tor blows his horn for silence. The chant dies down.
‘Thank you,’ says Korg. ‘Helix may never be the greatest hunter in our clan, but hunting alone is not all that should matter to us. If we, as a people, are to grow and prosper, it will be due to our relations with others. Helix has shown, against great odds, that he is brave and caring and that he seeks the truth with all his being. That Ugthorn is standing among us today is proof that Helix should be proud of who he is and what he believes in.’
Korg pauses. Folk take this as a sign for them to make noise, lots of noise. There is so much cheering and clapping that I can only just hear what Korg is saying now.
‘Let it be known that from this day forward, Helix of the mountain has Arrived.’
Later that day, as the sun is beginning to reach the landline, I sit on the Ledge with Ug on one side of me and Saleeka on the other.
Korg has declared that from now on, what is contained on the sacred tablets will be shared and discussed with everyone on the mountain. Most importantly, folk will be allowed to agree or disagree with the teachings – no one will be punished for their views.
Folk from the Dark Side and Newstone have gone home, happy with what has been resolved. The air on the mountain is fresh and promising. Tomorrow will be a new day in all senses.
‘I still think Speel should have been banished,’ says Saleeka.
‘Where to?’ I say. ‘No one on the Dark Side wants him. I can’t imagine him living in Newstone. And as for Fenswell, I don’t think he’s quite ready to live there yet.’
‘You are right,’ says Ug. ‘It is better that he repays his debts to the mountain folk.’
‘I think it will work out all right,’ I say. ‘Crag and Tor will make sure he behaves himself. He has a good knowledge of the tablets and so will make an excellent assistant Storykeeper.’
‘Assistant Storykeeper?’ repeats Saleeka.
‘Yes, he’ll just have to get used to it.’
‘And who will be the head Storykeeper?’ asks Ug.
‘Veldo. He’ll stay in Newstone and most of the tablets will be transferred there.’
‘I still can’t believe that you both passed your Arrivals! You’re both cavemen! Especially you, Helix. I mean, seriously …’
‘I’m actually not that keen on the term “caveman”, anyway,’ I say. ‘I’ve decided I’m happy to be a caveteen for some time yet.’
‘Caveteen?’ says Ug, pondering the thought. ‘That sounds like an idea.’
‘And what of your marriage, Saleeka?’ I ask. ‘I hear that Sherwin has eyes for another girl.’
‘Yes, it’s very sad, so sad that it pains me to talk about it. It appears, Helix, that your brother has chosen another. A girl from the Dark Side, would you believe – she is known for her meatcakes.’
‘Yes,’ I say. ‘Apparently Sherwin is the only one who can stomach them – they’re a perfect match.’
We laugh and stare out towards the landline, where the far skies are glowing red.
‘How’s your father, Ug? I ask.
‘He is recovering well,’ says Ug.
‘I’ve heard some folk say that he should be the next Korg,’ says Saleeka.
‘It is too early to make such decisions,’ says Ug. ‘If he is the next Korg, though, it will all be thanks to Helix.’
‘And thanks to you, too,’ I say. ‘You were the one who chose to cross the river with me – and you as well, Saleeka.’
Ug and Saleeka shake their heads as if it’s no big deal.
‘What was it again that Korg told you?’ I ask Ug.
Ug doesn’t have to think. ‘You can conquer all with friendship,’ he says.
I look down at Rockfall and then beyond Fenswell, as far as I can see. The world is bigger than it’s ever been before.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to everyone not mentioned in this thank you – that’s cheating, I know! But you know who you are (or you think you do). There’s that saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a book’ (or something like that), and it’s true.
Special thanks to Gabrielle McCubbery, who started things off – she once gave me a plastic bag full of books to read, all of which have stayed with me since; to Bob Drane, my first real English teacher, who scared me into reading, writing and thinking all at once; to Clare Renner at RMIT, who took the time to read my work and offer valuable guidance; to Anne Reilly, David Lawrence, Ilka Tampke, Jason Cotter, Jean-Philippe Galliot, Jon Barnett, Michelle Deans, Paul Biegler, Peter O’Connor, Skye McEwen and Sophie Splatt, who at various times and in various ways encouraged me to write.
And thanks to those folk who made this book happen, in a publishing sense: to Rick Raftos, my agent, for first taking a punt on me and, ever since then, being calm, wise and professional; kudos to Jules Faber for his wonderful illustrations and patience working through their many incarnations; huge appreciation and admiration to Bronwyn O’Reilly and Cristina Briones for the brilliant work they did editing Helix and the Arrival; and lastly, special, special thanks to my publisher, Zoe Walton, who believed in my work (even before Helix) and stuck with me during what seemed, at times, a glacial journey.
Finally, this book is dedicated to my mum, Diana, my wife, Emma, and my beautiful daughter, Freya. Together they’ve made many more sacrifices than I have to allow me to write this book. And also – let’s face it – they make me the best person I can be.
About the author
Damean Posner lives in Melbourne with his wife, daughter, amphibious spaniel and a small brood of chickens. He has had work published in The School Magazine, a play performed at the Sydney Short+Sweet theatre festival and short stories published in various journals. He is a keen gardener and outdoorsy type. His special interest is archaeology, which is evidenced by the holes in his backyard.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any person or entity, including internet search engines or retailers, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, photocopying (except under the statutory exceptions provisions of the Australian Copyright Act 1968), recording, scanning or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of Random House Australia. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
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Helix and the Arrival
9780857986542
First published by Random House Australia 2015
Copyright © Damean Posner, 2015
Illustrations copyright © Jules Faber, 2015
The moral right of the author and illustrator has been asserted.
A Random House Australia book
Published by Random House Australia Pty Ltd
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www.randomhouse.com.au
Random House Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com/offices.
National Library of Australia
Cataloguing-in-Publication entry
Creator: Posner, Damean, author
Title: Helix and the arrival / Damean Posner
ISBN: 978 0 85798 654 2 (ebook)
Target audience: For primary school age
Subjects: Prehistoric peoples – Juvenile fiction
Bildungsromans
Other creators/contributors: Faber, Jules, 1971–, illustrator
Dewey number: A823.4
Cover illustration by Jules Faber
Cover design by Rachel Lawston, www.lawstondesign.com
eBook production by Firstsource
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