by Caleb Fox
Here Salya perked up and began to ask some questions. They promised her all the answers tomorrow, when she had rested.
When she protested that she’d had months of rest, Kumu said, “And now I’m going to see that you get some real rest.”
Oghi went to check on Shonan.
The others told Salya about the Great Dusky Owl, the Tree of Life and Death, how Yah-Su died, and how the Master of Life and Death determined that the other adventurers had passed the test and could return to life, carrying Salya. How they bore her for many days’ walks, from the Emerald Cavern to the Tusca village to this spot.
Then, in considerable detail, with pride stirred into grief, Aku told how they’d fought Maloch the Uktena and killed the monster.
Salya laid her head back against Kumu, took his hand, closed her eyes, and seemed to be at peace.
Footsteps grabbed Aku’s attention, and he turned toward Oghi. In front of the sea turtle man, his steps a little tenative, walked Shonan.
Aku jumped up and embraced his father. He trembled in the big arms.
Shonan broke the moment. “All right, I give in.” He chuckled and patted his son’s back. “I guess maybe magic works.”
Aku said, “You know it does.”
“Hey, you two,” said Salya.
They separated. Shonan squatted and took his daughter’s hand. Tears ran down both faces.
“There’s one more thing,” Salya said.
“Yes,” said Aku and Shonan at once.
“I want to know.”
“Yes?”
“What took you so long?”
Aku and Shonan laughed and clapped each others’ backs.
EPILOGUE
The next moon was momentous—Aku knew he would remember every day separately, an occasion to be honored.
The people of Amaso first elected new leaders. Oghi was named chief and Shonan war chief. Because Aku possessed the diamond eye, they chose him as seer.
Oghi called for the rebuilding of the huts brought down by the storm.
Shonan recommended sending runners to ask the Equanis for help.
Emboldened by his new position, Aku said he had a better idea. Everyone liked it. He led a group of Amaso men and women to the Brown Leaf village and met with the women, children, and elderly people left there. Since they were defenseless with their warriors dead, and facing hungry moons, he proposed that they join the Amaso people.
The Brown Leaves instead offered their own houses to the Amasos, stout houses of wattle and daub, a bay better protected from the ocean, and the security of a joined community.
Aku immediately transformed himself into an eagle, flew back to Amaso, and gave the word to everyone. They applauded the offer.
Shonan said, “I set out to add fifty families to our tribe, and my son has added another hundred and fifty.”
Aku was flattered, but more impressed with what had to be done. He, Shonan, and Oghi organized the trek to the Brown Leaf town—every Amaso went.
On the seventh evening they made camp and looked down at the distant village of their onetime enemies. “It’s a good place,” Oghi said to Aku and Iona, “better protected against storms than our old village, and with more fields to plant.”
The three of them rolled up in their elk hides. Aku looked distracted.
“What’s on your mind?” said Oghi.
“Two weddings to be held at the ceremony.”
Iona squeezed his hand.
“What’s really on your mind?” said the sea turtle man.
“My responsibilities,” said Aku.
“Which ones?” said Iona. Her mind was on their coming child.
“To be a good seer, I have to go back to the Emerald Cavern many times and learn much more.”
Iona sat up and slapped him lightly on the shoulder. “To be a good husband you need to give me lots of loving, raise our kids right, and hunt enough food for all of us. Think you can keep your mind on that?”
Aku kissed her, then caressed her. He said, “I don’t think that will be a problem.”
Table of Contents
TITLE
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
EPILOGUE