by Emil Toth
Ravi took a deep breath. “I understand an apology will not bring your friends back. On behalf of the ladies and myself, I want to apologize for the abominable behavior of the men of Nubilon.”
“On behalf of Sandor and Pauli’s family, relatives and friends, Caleb, Ashlee and myself, we thank you.”
Ravi, Amira, Nena and Devra embraced Caleb, Ashlee and Kaathi and wept as they extended their condolences on the death of their friends.
Kaathi announced, “I need to assure you this horrendous event is the beginning of the end of male dominance in your village.”
Devra, the most skeptical and practical of the four stared at Kaathi. “How can this be? You saw with your own eyes how filled with rage our men are toward us and anyone who dares to intervene.”
“A malicious event is like a two edged sword,” explained the mystic, “it has a good side and a bad one. You have seen the bad side, which is filled with anger and hatred. The good side will be revealed later.
“Since you have formed your group, you have been witness to love’s power and goodness. Love knows no boundaries and no laws. Your men shall come to respect your women through your group’s prayers and actions.”
Devra shook her head. “Our men will never hold us in esteem.”
Kaathi shook her head. “I saw what was in Zafir’s eyes today. He was ashamed of what happened. You will find him to be an ally. He will help you spearhead others to join you in your search for truth and justice.”
Amira eyes filled with tears. Choked with emotion she said, “I believe what you say to be true, for I know God has sent you to us. I have seen you in my dreams.”
Ravi looked gravely at Amira. “You never told us.”
“There are things I keep in my heart. This was one of them, my dear friend.”
Ravi recognized the voice calling his name. He went to the entrance and saw Zafir. He stepped aside to let him in. Zafir looked uncomfortable. He addressed the small group in a reticent voice, “I am here to personally apologize for the behavior of our men, and let you know I do not condone what happened.”
“Their behavior was an insane, hostile act,” hissed Caleb. “My two councilmen are dead because of their actions. I am not sure what is going to happen, when I tell their widows and my people what happened.”
“They are dead? My God, I am very sorry. You have my deepest sympathy. I hope you realize I had to say what I said back there. My hands are tied. I hope the action of those angry, hotheaded men does not ignite a war between our people. I do not want more blood on my conscience.
“I know the men who did this have no remorse. It is why my heart is heavy. I am sorry for what they did. I hope you believe me when I say I do not want any more lives to be lost. I do not know what more I can say to avert retaliation. I am at your mercy.”
Caleb saw Zafir’s remorse. Would it be enough to satisfy his tribe? They would likely want revenge. At the moment, he was unsure what he was going say to his people to ease their need to retaliate.
“Because your men harbor an immense anger, two of my councilmen are dead. I must say I never imagined you would apologize. Still I am at a loss for what to say to my people to appease them. All I can say is I shall do my best to avoid war.”
“I can ask for nothing more. Thank you all for listening to me. Again I am profoundly sorry for the loss of your friends.” He bowed and left.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Zafir rose early to bid the group from Kahali goodbye. He hoped his reaching out would show them how troubled he was. The sky was lessening its shroud of darkness. The air was still cool but his thoughts kept him from noticing.
At the entrance to Ravi’s house, he called softly. Ravi appeared and he entered. He greeted everyone.
“I am sorry to intrude.”
Kaathi touched Zafir’s arm. “How is the woman who was beaten?”
“Netti’s husband refused to take her to get help, so I personally took Netti to the medicine man’s home and stayed long enough to know she will recover from her beating. She had fits of sobbing and is not doing well mentally and emotionally. She stated she did not want to sleep with her husband and was staying at the healer’s home.”
“I can understand,” replied Kaathi.
“Thank you. It is an emotional time for me as well. I never imagined anything like this would happen to her and to Sandor and Pauli. I truly am sorry and I apologize again for the behavior of my men.”
“God knows we did not expect to be going back home without two of our most respected men. I know all too well you cannot control what anyone does. We thank you for your apology.”
“I am truly sorry for your loss.”
The Elder saw the anguish in Zafir’s eyes. “Would you care to join us in sending Sandor and Pauli to their last resting place?”
“I would be honored to join you.”
“I sense we need to eulogize Pauli and Sandor here and not on the riverbank,” warned Kaathi.
Her remark drew curious looks from everyone.
Not wanting to delay, Kaathi, acting as the High Priest, eulogized the two Warrior Hunters, “We have lost two brave and gentle men due to this nation’s inflexible, outdated, irrational religious beliefs. Pauli and Sandor have unwittingly contributed to the beginning of the end of Nubilon’s barbaric religion. Yet on a deeper level of consciousness they knew this was to take place and they complied to assist in changing Nubilon history. May they find peace and their loved ones in the Land of No Shadows.”
Kaathi’s words made Zafir reflect. His found his attitude toward women had changed with the death of his wife a few years ago. After her passing, he found it strange he never fully appreciated her, while she was alive. He had taken her for granted and regretted it. She had been there beside him day after day. He let his thoughts roam and came to the realization every person had a purpose in life. Some were cognizant of the reason, some had an inkling of it and others never gave it a thought. A year ago he had broached the subject of the worth of women to his fellow councilmen. At the time, they were not interested in discussing women’s merits. He abandoned his efforts and contained his thoughts and feelings to himself. The current events forced him to examine the actions of the men he guided. All was not well with them or his leadership. Things needed to change before a repetition of what happened would befall them. At the center of the senseless deaths of the Kahali warriors was a woman. The horrific act begged for the need of reform in Nubilon. Unfortunately, he had no idea how to present his ideas to his people without being thrown off the assembly.
Zafir was aware his compassion brought him here, though he felt there was another reason for his presence. He let the thought slip from his mind and watched and wondered if any of his people would have attended the funeral had it taken place later in the morning. He was glad he thought of saying goodbye to them and to pay homage to their friends.
Kaathi ended her eulogy and spoke directly to the council head, “I do not want you to torture yourself with regret. This horrendous act of aggression heralds the beginning of the end of male abuse in Nubilon.”
“I do not understand.” Zafir looked confused.
“My dear, Zafir, you shall be the instrument of change here and the way it is to come about is through your participation in the group meetings in Ravi’s home.
“I know of no such group.”
“It consists of Ravi, Amira, Nena and Devra. I know your heart is tortured by the death of our friends. There is much you need to learn and these gentle souls are here to help you acquire the knowledge. What you learn will impact your men to respect your women and your women to acquire self-esteem.”
Zafir directed his question to Ravi, “Is this true, Ravi? You are discussing such volatile subjects?”
“I shall let Amira answer for us.”
Amira knew Ravi wanted to demonstrate to Zafir how much he respected women. “Thank you Ravi. We discuss everything involving each one of us and our people. We have been talking a great d
eal about women’s rights and equality.”
Zafir nodded. “It is well and good other men have not heard about this group. What you are doing is revolutionary. All of you took a great risk. Had the wrong men found out, you might have been killed. I must admit this is an extraordinary and ambitious adventure and possibly the only way to accommodate the necessary changes.” He stroked his beard and continued, “Very well, I will attend a meeting. If it agrees with my philosophy, I will keep attending. If people find out, my presence will give credence to what you are doing.”
“The changes you seek will not happen overnight, even with Zafir’s example and help,” Kaathi informed them. “It will take place in the same manner it does to build a house. Branches must be placed beside other branches to accomplish it. Make no mistake your love is the foundation of it all. The might of force does not alter history as beneficially as the power of love. It is taking place in Kahali, Homar and Sumati and it shall come to be here. Not everyone will comply. However, I am certain the change shall come about slowly and surely.”
Kaathi’s face changed abruptly. “We must hasten to bury our deceased.”
The need for haste caught everyone unawares. They carried the stretchers and items the party needed to the dugout. Zafir walked silently alongside Caleb. They came to a small clearing with a few trees.
They stopped abruptly at the horrific sight of Netti.
She had a rope around her neck and it was attached to a tree branch. She had been deliberating her death. The moment she saw them she kicked the basket away she was standing on. She dropped a foot and hung in space. Her legs flailed the air.
Her neck had not broken.
The sight shocked everyone. They recovered and raced to her rescue. Caleb drew his short blade from its sheath, as he ran. Zafir and he arrived by Netti’s side. Without saying a word, Zafir held her up, while Caleb slashed the rope. Zafir laid her down gently on the ground. Kaathi was by his side and quickly worked the knot loose around her neck and slipped it over her head. The woman was alive and gasping for air. Her body spasmodically jerked.
Ashlee was weeping and repeatedly saying, “Oh my God. Oh my God.”
Waiting for Netti to recover, Kaathi rubbed the suffering woman’s arm gently and sent her love.
Zafir mumbled half to himself and the others, “This madness has to end.”
Ashlee’s stomach knotted into a hard ball. Her breath came in short, terrified pants. The image of Netti’s feet kicking out in her struggle to get a breath, her eyes bulging and her face turning blue, ravaged her mind. As a captive, she had witnessed a slave being strangled by a mutant. She remembered the desperation in the slave’s fight for life, only to have it extinguished. The sight traumatized her for days. This was not how her dreams and imaginings portrayed her home village. The poor woman lying on the ground in front of her represented stark reality and the truth of what life was like in her home village. Netti was representative of how defeated the women were in this forsaken village. Ashlee abhorred the men who attacked Netti and killed her friends. She wanted nothing to do with them. The Nubilon men were a breath away from being as barbaric as the mutants she fled.
Ashlee recovered her runaway mind and took a deep breath. She got on her knees and set her hands on Netti’s arm and sent her love and healing energy.
Amira knew Netti better than the others present. Her tears were a testament to her friendship with the horribly injured woman. She was thankful her man had never beaten her to the point where she would contemplate suicide. Looking at her crumpled friend, she wondered how many beatings Netti had received before getting so despondent she wanted to end her life. The damn, insufferable clothes covering women also covered a multitude of beatings and mistreatments. What was Netti going to do, after she recovered from this near tragedy? For a woman to try to take her own life, she had to be steeped in desperation. There is something ugly going on in Netti’s household. For her man to beat her openly in the square was insane and demonstrated how little he and all men thought of women. The problem remains, if Netti survives, she will have to return to the hell she calls home. It can be a death sentence. I have to talk to the others and see if they will support me in asking Zafir to allow battered women to seek the safety of shelter, which our group can provide. If they are afraid, I will provide it myself.
Kaathi caught Zafir’s eye. “What is Netti’s fate?”
“She will have to go back to her husband.”
Kaathi shook her head. “Has she no other recourse?”
“None. He has complete control over her life.”
Amira took a deep breath and straightened her back. “We can give her refugee,” announced Amira. “If the group will not, I will myself.”
Zafir could not believe what he heard. “You are opening the gates to hell and an avalanche of persecution.”
“Zafir is right,” agreed Ravi. “It is too soon. Our group has to expand and strengthen and Zafir has to persuade the council to examine its misunderstanding of our religion before you could do it.
Kaathi nodded. “I also agree. For Netti to go back to her husband would be a death sentence… I will take her back with me.”
Caleb’s brows lifted in shock at what Kaathi suggested.
“You cannot,” exclaimed Zafir, “when she is found missing, they will assume she left with you, and they will want to follow you and kill you.”
“I cannot leave her here to die a day or ten days from now. She is coming with us,” insisted the High Priest.
Zafir looked at Caleb hoping the Elder would side with him. He saw no support in his eyes. He found it strange Caleb would not intervene. It meant Kaathi’s presence and influence was greater than the Elder’s. He gazed at Netti, knowing he needed to tell the other council members she left with the Kahalis of her own accord. If he forced the issue and stated Netti had to stay, he knew in his heart she would attempt suicide again. He knew it would be hard to live with if it happened. He had to let her go and let the future decide their fates.
“Very well, you can take her. Do it quickly. I do not want anyone to see you.”
Kaathi turned to Netti. “Have you understood everything we were talking about?”
Not trusting her voice, Netti gave one slow nod.
“Are you willing to come with us?”
Netti gave another nod.
“Good.”
The bodies of Pauli and Sandor were forgotten during the emotional rush and they were attended to again. Ashlee stayed behind to be with Netti, while the funeral party picked up the stretchers, walked into the river and let the bodies slip into the stream. They all watched as the bodies receded and disappeared. Zafir filled with regret and shame watched along with them.
Everyone returned to Netti and Ashlee. Ashlee stood and embraced her uncle. “I am sorry our appearance caused all this turmoil, but I am thankful to have found you alive. I cannot tell you how much this meeting has meant to me. I love you uncle.”
“I love you as well my dear. Seeing you has completed my life in a way I never imagined. Your parents would be proud you. It has thrilled me to see you and how strong and lovely you are.
“I am deeply saddened for your loss and by the fanatical behavior of my people. Be safe on your trip home.”
Zafir and the others embraced Caleb, Kaathi and Ashlee.
“Again, I am sorry for what has happened. Safe journey.” Zafir extended his hands. Caleb took them for one last time, turned and walked quickly to the waiting dugout. Kaathi and Ashlee were right behind him helping Netti navigate the short walk. They helped her into the canoe. Caleb pushed the dugout into the water and stepped in. He turned and waved once to group on the bank and turned his attention to the river.
Ashlee and Kaathi looked at their new friends on the shore and wished there was more they could have done to alter the mindset of the men of Nubilon. They would have to rely on those trusted few on shore to stimulate the changes necessary for women to achieve equality and sovereignty over
themselves.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Caleb saw the spot he was looking for and headed the canoe toward it. Everyone disembarked and he pulled the dugout halfway onto shore. He saw Kaathi was tending to Netti and he asked Ashlee to help him collect firewood. After gathering their first armful, he got the fire going and they went looking for more wood. On their hunt they came across a group of berry bushes. After they carried the wood back, she went back to gather the berries in the fold of a large leaf.
They ate their meals in virtual silence due to Netti’s presence. Netti did not eat much except for the berries. Caleb took Netti to the site.
With Netti gone, Ashlee broke down and sobbed. Her sobs subsided and she wiped her tears. A woeful looked still captured her face.
“You seem to know everything, why did you not intercede and prevent the mob from killing Sandor and Pauli?”
Kaathi took a deep breath. “Abdu’s anger ignited the anger of the men in the center. It overtook their reasoning and almost instantly they became a mob. The mob’s anger exploded into lightening like action. There was nothing I could do.”
Ashlee accepted her answer but questioned her mentor’s behavior. “I know you knew Netti was going to commit suicide. Why did we not leave earlier? Had we, she would not have had to experience such shame.”
“Had we left earlier the impact of her action would have alluded Zafir,” explained Kaathi. “He had to see her dangling at the end of the rope attempting to take her life. He had to hold her up while Caleb cut her down. Had he not seen her struggling, he likely would not have allowed us to bring her with us. Her attempt at suicide is going to be the impetus he needs to approach the other members of the council to take action and promote a more positive atmosphere for the women of Nubilon. In affect, it was the hinge point in his life. He needed to expose his true values and strength.”
She absorbed what her mentor told her. “This whole sordid affair is dredging up memories I would rather not look at. I have had my share of anguish and want pleasant things to take place in my life.”