Hand of Fire (The Master of the Tane)

by Rath, Thomas

  Before too long, he spied Dor and slapped the back of his head as he raced by. “Hey you, come back here!” Dor yelled as he started off towards his attacker. They raced along the path that led to the practice area down by the great waters south of the village. Dor did all he could to catch up but Thane’s longer legs were too much for him and he was soon out of sight. Dor smiled to himself as he slowed to a jog unable to control the joy he was feeling about this day. He and Thane had waited and dreamed about this for such a long time now that he couldn’t help but grin as the great waters and the practice area came into view.

  He gave a small shout while racing towards the clearing but suddenly became tangled in something and was then thrown mercilessly to the ground. Before he could move a sack was thrown over his head and pulled tight around his neck. He tried to fight and kick but was overcome by many hands that held him down easily. Within moments, Dor was tied securely at his wrists and ankles pulled together behind him causing his back to arch very uncomfortably. The sack was then removed from his head and a young Chufa was staring him right in the face.

  It was PocMar. No one could mistake that ugly face. It wasn’t really his fault that he looked so hideous. He had fallen into the fire when he was younger and burned his face quite badly. The whole right side of it was wrinkled and deformed with scar tissue. It was especially thick over his eye causing it to droop in a constant half wink. The hair by his right temple had been burned completely off leaving a bald spot that had never grown back. Other than his face, he was an average looking Chufa sporting a thin build and standing at a medium height. Without his scars there would not have been anything really special about the boy and most likely he would have been looked over by others.

  This was not the first time Dor had had a run in with PocMar and his group of young goons. Every opportunity PocMar got he tried to make those younger than him look foolish or suffer, especially when it came to Thane and Dor.

  Dor looked around at the faces of the others grinning back at him with proud smirks as if they had caught some great prize. He also noticed Thane, not too far away, in the same predicament but with a gag so he was not able to shout a warning. By the look of him he must have given quite a struggle. PocMar especially hated Thane because of his good looks and uniqueness having a part of all five Tane. Even though Thane felt his Tane were more a burden then anything else, PocMar had decided that Thane was full of himself because of it. After all, that is how PocMar would have been.

  “Looks like we caught ourselves a couple of lake rats boys,” PocMar snickered as he bent down closer putting his drooping eye into Dor’s face. Thane may have given up fighting after a couple of well placed heels to the ribs but Dor was fueled and ready to burn at such an arrogant whelp.

  “Listen Poc-Scar….” Dor let out a grunt as PocMar’s fist slammed against his stomach temporarily stealing the air from his lungs.

  “You had better watch your mouth you little weasel,” PocMar screamed. “And show me a little respect before I mash that ugly face of yours into fish bait!”

  “Just a slip of the tongue,” Dor whispered as he gasped for breath. “What I meant to say was...please let us go.” PocMar grinned with satisfaction that quickly turned to fury when Dor added under his breath, “Poc-Scar.”

  This time Dor was left speechless by PocMar’s heel as it pounded into his ribs. “That’s it you little imp!” PocMar yelled, throwing himself into a tantrum. “It’s time you both learned some manners and I’m just the person to teach them to you.”

  Thane struggled to free himself not anxious to be kicked again while Dor lay on the ground still gasping for breath, a hint of a smile on his face. PocMar and the others pulled Dor and Thane into kneeling positions and were about to lay into them when a small voice cried out from the trees behind them. “You leave them alone you big bullies!”

  “Oh, perfect,” Dor huffed still struggling for breath. “That’s all we need right now.”

  Out from behind a tree and onto the path came little TamVen with her fists clenched at her hips and her worse scowl crinkling her face. “You leave them alone and untie them this instant, you big troll’s head.”

  PocMar’s face curled into a repulsive look of amusement while the other four boys just burst into laughter. “What’s this Thane?” PocMar sneered. “Is this your little protector come to save you like she did yesterday with the troll? I hear you and Dor were falling over each other to get away leaving Tam alone to defend you both.”

  “That’s not true and you know it!” Dor yelled finally regaining the use of his lungs. Thane sat quietly his eyes reflecting the pain the remark had caused though he tried desperately not to show it. Tam ran up to PocMar and tried to slug him but he caught her arm before she got close.

  “You better leave now little girl and go back to your mother before she thinks you were eaten by another troll.” PocMar said while flinging her to the ground.

  Thane struggled at his bindings now more frantically. “That’s right PocMar!” Dor yelled. “Beat up on a little girl! You coward!”

  All went quiet. Thane stopped his struggling and all eyes turned to Dor. To call a Chufa a coward was the strongest insult that could be given. Any Chufa would rather die than be considered a coward and to wrongly accuse one of being such was to invite a fight to the death. PocMar’s expression became icy cold as he drew the knife that hung at his waist and approached Dor. “I will cut out your tongue and eat it for that remark, DorMar.” PocMar grabbed Dor’s mouth and forced it open while everyone stood frozen in disbelief except Thane who jerked around more heatedly trying to get loose to save his friend.

  Just as PocMar brought his knife down to Dor’s face it went flying from his hand and stuck into a tree, an arrow through the blade. “That’s enough!” A hard voice growled. All eyes turned to see DaxSagn stroll easily up the trail. “Maybe DorMar was right in his estimation PocMar. Were you actually going to attack an enemy who was tied up and helpless?” PocMar looked around to the others with him for support but they had backed up and now stood with eyes intensely admiring the ground at their feet.

  “Nnno…DaxSagn,” PocMar finally stammered. “It was just a joke we were playing.” He smiled weakly and patted Dor on the shoulder like they were old friends. Dor couldn’t help but smile at the shear panic in PocMar’s voice.

  “And you,” Dax asked evenly turning his stone-faced gaze on Dor. “Were you just joking or are you prepared to face PocMar in a fight to the death to prove your words?”

  The smile immediately left Dor’s face as the attention turned to him, his own voice cracking as he replied. “No. I mean Yes! I mean it was just a joke and a game, Great Protector.”

  “DaxSagn will do just fine,” Dax said as if weary of the title.

  “Uh, yes DaxSagn,” Dor returned quietly.

  “Well then,” Dax’s voice brightened. “If you are all finished playing then we can get to work. Untie them PocMar, shake hands and you young lady,” he said helping Tam to her feet, “you go home and leave us to our work. We wouldn’t want a stray arrow to skewer you, now would we?”

  Tam looked at Dax with wide eyes and shook her head before quickly turning about and running off.

  Thane stared in amazement at the arrow that had bored through the metal of PocMar’s blade as DaxSagn retrieved it from the trunk of the tree. What sort of arrow could do such a thing and not be shattered? he wondered as he rubbed the raw marks on his wrists. He would ask DaxSagn later.

  The rest of the day was all Thane and Dor could have hoped for and more. First they started off with a silent run through the woods. As they ran, they tried to step lightly and pick their way carefully so as not to snap a twig and give away their position to DaxSagn who ran nearby trying to locate them. Since it was their first day, Thane and Dor were caught every time within seconds of starting their runs. The other boys were also caught but not as fast due to the amount of practice they had already received. Thane quickly became frustrated, and bruised,
since every time they were caught DaxSagn smacked them with an arrow shaft. Thane could walk as silent as just about any of his peers, but running was something completely different.

  “You must concentrate on making yourself as light as the wind and touch lightly with only the front of the foot,” Dax explained to him after giving Thane another whack on the back of his leg. “It is also important to pick your way carefully. Soon you will be able to feel the path in front of you and choose your way before you reach the steps ahead. Then you can run as the wind, in silence and stealth. If not, then people like PocMar will catch you and tie you up doing much worse than a few kicks to the ribs.”

  Thane stared in disbelief, his jaw dropping to his chest. “You mean you saw what happened and you let them do it?”

  “Yes. But not because I enjoy watching the strong or many prey on the weak or few. I did not interfere because I knew it would teach you a lesson.”

  “A lesson?” Thane asked puzzled. “What did we do so wrong to deserve such a harsh lesson?”

  “Well,” Dax smiled wryly. “I bet the next time you come bounding through the woods you won’t make as much noise as a herd of trolls. And I would also be willing to guarantee that you will be a little more watchful of your surroundings. Does that satisfy your curiosity?”

  “Yes, DaxSagn,” Thane answered quietly as he rubbed his bruised side. It was definitely a lesson he was not soon to forget.

  The rest of the day was spent with bow and arrow shooting at large and small targets similar to the one Thane and Dor had made. In this area they both did well to the chagrin of the older boys, especially PocMar. They also worked on tracking techniques and a small amount of knife use. They had to use knives carved from wood to practice with since knives were not given until they were earned. Also, for the simple reason that they were not found in abundance around the village since the Chufa were not workers of metals. The only reason they had any at all was because trolls would often have them when they raided. Those who fought bravely during the battle or did something spectacular would then be awarded a knife taken from the trolls’ belongings.

  By the finish of the day both boys were exhausted and ready to return home and sleep. Although they were filled with the energy of youth, they were not quite accustomed to the rigors of such activity and all they wanted to do now was get back to their huts and go to bed. Thane sent Dor ahead wanting to talk to DaxSagn about the arrow he’d shot through PocMar’s blade. He waited until all had left the practice area before approaching their teacher who was busy sharpening his own knife.

  “You had a fine day today Thane,” DaxSagn said without looking up. “You will soon catch the others in your skills as you continue to practice. I can tell you and Dor already have been practicing at your bows. That is good.”

  “Thank you, DaxSagn.”

  “So, what can I do for you?”

  “I…I was wondering about something,” Thane stammered. “But if you are too busy, I can talk to you another time.”

  “I’m not busy now boy so out with it,” Dax said still working his knife.

  Thane paused trying to calm himself before going on. “It’s about that arrow you shot today.”

  Dax smiled and nodded his head. “How is it that an arrow can pierce the metal of a blade?”

  “Well, yes,” Thane said, relieved that Dax seemed willing to tell him about it.

  “I don’t know.”

  The answer came as an arrow point. “You don’t know!”

  “I don’t know. It’s as simple as that.”

  “But where did it come from? I mean who made it?”

  “Legend has it that it came from the Chufa of old. But they didn’t make it.”

  Thane was now more confused than ever. “I don’t understand. How is an arrow not made?”

  Dax pulled the arrow from the quiver resting by his leg and handed it to Thane. “See for yourself.”

  Thane held it with awe not quite sure of what to think. It was all wood, even the tip, and instead of feathers at the end there seemed to be leaves. It was lighter than it appeared and it felt warm in his hand, almost as if it pulsated with life. He could almost sense the living force flowing through it.

  “It was my father’s,” Dax continued. “And my father’s father and his father’s back to when we lived in the great forests on the other side of the mountains. They say that the great one of old could talk with the forests and the animals and that the trees would give him arrows like this one from their inner hearts. Supposedly, these arrows could shoot through rock and metals of the strongest make and their tips would never dull.” Dax had stopped working his blade and now stared at the horizon as the sun set behind the mountain peaks. Thane sat spellbound by the thought of it all while trying to catch whatever it was that was scratching at his mind just beyond understanding.

  “Well,” Dax finally said breaking the silence. “That’s what they say anyway, if you want to believe it. To me it’s just a fine arrow that I don’t have to sharpen and that’s good enough.”

  Thane handed the strange arrow back and the weird sensation he had been feeling all along suddenly left him. “Thank you, DaxSagn,” he managed as he got back to his feet still lost in thought. “I had better get home now. The Kinpa will be visiting soon.”

  “That’s right boy. And get some sleep. It looks like you could use it.”

  Thane nodded in reply and then turned for home.

  That night, as he slept, he dreamed of talking trees with arrows for leaves.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Rani ducked under the low hanging vine and bound through the jungle of trees while cursing her decision to leave the safety of the river. She had entered the Underwoods forest hoping to end her journey quickly and return home to her children, but her mistake in judging the sun’s quick descent was proving to be a fatal one. If she did not reach her canoe by nightfall, when the creatures of the Underwoods began their nightly struggle over life and death, it was almost certain her three children would be orphaned and someone would then be making an Appeasing Journey for her. The thought of them pushed her on even faster.

  She was Waseeni, and like the rest of her race, she was small of build but agile and quick in her movements; she had to be to survive the dangers of the Teague swamplands where the Waseeni made their home. Her eyes matched the dark brown of her tanned skin and her hair was bleached almost white from the sun. She wore a half-shirt and a simple loincloth, which was kept in place by a belt that also held her only weapon, a dagger. The deadly heat and dense humidity of the Teague made clothing a burden and only that which was necessary to keep one modest was ever worn.

  The way was quickly becoming darker making it difficult to see as the limbs of the trees seemed to come to life reaching down to grab her and slow her escape. A distant howl broke her fluid gait tripping her up on a fallen log and sending her sliding headlong through the soft, decomposing plant debris that littered the ground. Righting herself quickly, she ignored the musty smell and suppressed an anxious shiver as she darted ahead in a desperate search for the sanctuary promised by the Belfar River.

  It was almost completely dark when she finally heard the beckoning sounds of the water calling to her fear-dulled mind. She was almost there. A tiny smile creased her sweat-covered face but was quickly erased when a horrible cry froze her cold in mid-stride. Her eyes caught the movement of something large just ahead as it bounced up and down on top of another unrecognizable form. A second scream escaped from the grounded creature, a last cry of anguish, and then all went silent. Rani shook uncontrollably and cursed herself for not bringing her blowgun. She knew she was close now but felt a gnawing sense that she would find death just at that door to her freedom.

  Inching slowly forward, she could just make out what it was that blocked her passage. The bulbous body and spindly legs of a giant spider had fallen upon some unwary creature and was now proceeding to wrap it into a cocoon of webbing for later digestion. Rani’s eyes darted to the tr
ee tops above wondering if more weren’t hiding in the dense foliage just waiting for the next victim to happen along. She had always hated spiders, and the ones in the Teague did grow rather large and there venom was lethal in the smallest amounts, but never had she ever imagined the nightmare that was so close to her now.

  A soft rustle in the undergrowth behind her broke through her terror stricken mind crying out in warning that she was not alone in her observance of the spider and its prey. Night had fallen. A low growl hissed through the air placing her unknown companion only feet behind her and to the right. She didn’t move. Maybe it hadn’t seen her. Maybe it had! Was it another spider come along to find the warm, satisfying blood she offered so easily? She remained frozen in place, not daring to move, her ability to escape hindered on either side by the thickness of the forest that had quickly become a death trap. Forward or back were her only options and neither offered anything other than certain death.

  The stalker suddenly screeched mingling its voice with Rani’s cry of dread as she shot forward towards the spider and its prey. She could hear the hunter falling in behind her as it broke from the bush in quick pursuit closing the gap with incredible speed. The spider rose onto its back legs in readiness as she sprinted towards its eager embrace, its mandibles moving with anticipation. She was trapped! She would die and none would appease the ancestors for the death of her husband.

  A shadow suddenly passed over Rani’s head causing her to dive instinctively to the forest floor of decaying foliage. She looked up in time to see a shadow collide with the massive spider knocking it to the ground and locking it into a desperate battle for life. Not wasting a precious moment to gawk, she rose to her feet and bolted past praying their struggles would not declare a victor until she reached her canoe and escaped into the river.