Hand of Fire (The Master of the Tane)

by Rath, Thomas

  He wasn’t sure if she really meant what she said or was just pleading that it be true. He knew she was thinking of his twin, Tahben, who had been killed years before. She feared for his life. “I will be fine, mother. It will be a quick trip, I am sure of it. Twee will watch over us all. He promised he would.”

  Rani looked hard at her son and then patted his hand. “I know,” was all she said and then called the other children back in who could now be heard laughing and banging around outside.

  * * *

  The sun found him deep in the swamplands north of his home when it finally appeared in the great, blue sky. He left home before sunrise, sneaking out so no one would know he had gone. It was painful enough to be leaving his family. He did not want to make it any harder on any of them by waiting and being forced into long, heartrending good-byes.

  He had reached the end of his knowledge of the area an hour before and was now making his way cautiously past large trees with moss covered limbs. His eyes darted everywhere searching for any signs of danger. He remembered well the tale of his mother’s passing many years before and the dangers she had faced were fresh in his mind. Though his favorite childhood story, it would now serve him well in helping him stay alive and avoiding the pitfalls and threats that she had faced.

  He did his best to keep going in a straight line keeping the rising sun to his right. He needed to find the great lake known as the Maddox and then head up the river that fed it. There was no set course on appeasing journeys but that was where his mother had gone and that is where he would go. The water was where he felt comfortable and he had no desire to enter the evil forest in which his mother had almost lost her life.

  As the sun got higher in the morning sky, the heat began to intensify and the air seemed to thicken with humidity inviting the bugs out that now swarmed unpleasantly around him. He poled his canoe to the side and approached a small piece of dry land covered with long weeds. What luck, he thought, Dung weed. Twee must really be looking out for me after all. Grabbing a hand full, he rubbed the stems all over his body. A putrid smelling liquid oozed from the plant making him shine with its rancid oil. The smell was horrid, but it kept the bugs off which were a worse menace then having to put up with the odor. The effects were almost immediate.

  The hours past slowly and Teek quickly became bored with the tedious work required in pushing his canoe forward. His apprehension at being in unfamiliar territory had faded with the passing day and he soon fell into a slow rhythm of motion. His eyes were no longer darting here and there to catch every sight and sound. Caution had long since been replaced with the dangers of complacency. The slight sound of rippling water passed his ears unnoticed as he continued with the seemingly unending labors of dipping his long pole and then pushing along, dipping his long pole and then pushing along. His mind traveled down different waterways as he continued on not giving much notice to his surroundings.

  A log floated soundlessly through the water and approached his small craft with unusual quickness. Teek kept his eyes straight ahead as if caught in a fevered trance, oblivious to the large piece of wood that would soon collide with his canoe. The loud cry of a distant bird broke through the fog surrounding his mind just as the log hit the front of his dugout. Teek jerked his head up in surprise and was thrown off balance. He teetered for a moment, fighting to regain his footing but was finally thrown back into the bottom of the canoe. His hand hit the side, knocking away his pole and throwing it into the swamp.

  Scrambling up onto his knees, he pulled his dagger thinking he was under attack. His body shook with the realization that had he fallen into the swamp his life may have already ended. His eyes darted about almost expecting the swamp to reach up and pull him into its depths. Again, the log bounced against the front of his canoe pushing it slightly to the side before it turned slightly and floated away. Teek stared at the drifting log and sat back unable to control the nervous laughter that escaped his turned up lips.

  “I must have really been out of it,” he breathed, wiping the nervous sweat from his forehead. “It’s a good thing it was just a log and not a crocodile.”

  Replacing his dagger, he quickly searched for his pole finding it drifting away on the water ripples his bouncing canoe had produced. Letting out a sigh, he placed a hand in the water and began to paddle pushing the canoe towards the escaping push pole. Progress was slow but he was making up ground when suddenly he noticed how quiet the swamp had become. Stopping for a moment, he sat up and glanced about while straining his ears for any sign of life. The silence was deafening. Nothing presented itself as an immediate danger as long moments passed without the slightest sound or movement. Finally, letting out a big breath, he shook his head. I must be getting paranoid.

  Dropping his head down toward the water, he brought his hand forward preparing to dip it in and paddle forward. A slight movement in the murky water below was his only warning. Teek instinctively jerked back just a large crocodile broke the surface and reached high out of the swamp snapping its power jaws mere inches from his face. A large splash crashed into his canoe tipping it precariously to the side as the crocodile reentered the water. Dropping to the canoe bottom, he lay flat against the wood bracing his hands and feet to either side in an attempt to steady the small craft as the huge reptile bumped against it from the bottom.

  His heart raced. Had he been a fraction slower he would have been caught in the croc’s gaping mouth. His dugout rocked again as the crocodile made another pass as if daring the small Waseeni to come into the water after him. Teek pressed harder against the sides of the wooden craft, pressing his body against the bottom, and then waited. He knew that if he could keep himself from tipping over a while longer, the crocodile would tire and leave in search of other prey.

  He was bumped three more times and then all went quiet. He lay silently, utterly exhausted from the ordeal and cursing himself for being so stupid. “What were you thinking?” he chided. “A moment’s hesitation and you never would have returned home.” Long moments passed and he was still trying to catch his breath and let go of the fear that had such a tight grip on him. A little shakily, he rolled over onto his side and got up on his knees to check and make sure that the area was clear.

  The sun had passed further down towards the horizon than he’d figured and now cast long shadows across the water. A few feet away, he noticed a long, dark figure just breaking the surface of the water and heading right for him. He let out a small yelp and braced himself for the collision but found quick relief when it materialized into the log that had bombarded him earlier. Looking around, he spotted his pole on his right and moved to place his hand in the water but suddenly stopped and jerked it back. “How do I know that crocodile is not just waiting for me to call it to dinner again? Better to wait.”

  He settled back down into the bottom of the canoe and stared up into the darkening sky above. He wanted to hurry along but there really was no rush, especially when it put his life into danger. He replayed the incident in his mind and then smiled at the realization that he had just had his first real adventure. But his joy quickly turned to sorrow as he thought of his friend Twee, now passed beyond the light of day and out of reach. “Who will I tell it to now?”

  Teek woke up with a start to the sound of something knocking against his small craft and he instinctively pushed his arms out to hold against another assault. The canoe tipped to the side and then back again before settling down in the still water. He looked around as if unsure of his surroundings and then suddenly realized it was getting lighter. “I must have slept the whole night through,” he said in wonder. Turning onto his knees he scanned the swamp, trying to get his bearings.

  His canoe was snuggled up against a tree and rocked slightly, bumping against a large root that curled out of the water before it dove back down into the murky deep. He made a quick search for his pushing pole and was pleasantly surprised to find it nestled up nicely between the canoe and the tree. What luck, he thought with a sigh of relie
f. A lost push pole would have been a difficult thing to replace and very dangerous. Without it he would be forced to paddle with his hands and the possible outcome of such actions was already quite clear.

  Grabbing the pole, he pushed himself away from the tree and navigated toward an area that was clearer so he could determine his route from the sun. His stomach growled with hunger forcing his eyes down to the empty trap at the bottom of the canoe. He cursed himself for falling asleep without setting it. “Looks like I’ll have to go without for a while. I guess that will teach me.”

  Scanning the sky, he found that he was still on course, and fell quickly into the steady rhythm of pushing himself through the swamp. With yesterday’s near miss still fresh in his mind, he kept a watchful eye on his surroundings. But the swamp didn’t change much, if at all. It was all the same trees, moss and water. Again the hours passed and the boredom of the day was lulling him into a state of perceived safety. More than once, he caught himself falling deep into his own thoughts instead of paying closer attention to things around him. To pass the time, and also try to keep himself more alert, he started humming some of the many songs his mother had taught him as a child. And since he was alone, he felt no shame in braking into song and bellowing out the chorus of a favorite folk melody. He must have been quite the sight to all the indigenous life crawling along the high trees or passing on the floating reeds. Occasionally, he even added small dance steps to his singing.

  By late afternoon, his songs had run out and the heat and boredom of the day were again setting in. The trees had begun to thin but Teek had not noticed, having fallen into another state of disinterest. This was not what he had imagined such an adventure to be like. He moved forward to place his pole but it didn’t grab. Instead it sank farther and farther into the water throwing him off balance and almost dropping him into the swamp. He swore to himself wondering how many times it had been now that he had almost been dropped into the water. For a race of people so tied to the swamp, he was suddenly feeling rather inept.

  Looking around, he finally took stock of the area. To his amazement, not more than two tree spans away, a treeless body of water stretched out almost as far as his eyes could see. “The Maddox,” he whispered almost dumbfounded. He never imagined from his mother’s story that it could be so large. Had he not been able to glimpse something solid on the other side he would have thought he had gotten turned around and turned up at the ocean. Gaping in amazement, a distant cry suddenly broke through his revelry and clawed for his attention, chilling him with its awful sound.

  “By the ancestors, what was that?”

  Again, the cry reached across the waters coming at him from the east side of the great lake. Teek strained his eyes for any movement or clue as to what could be making such an awful cry but was disappointed when nothing presented itself. It sounded like the dreaded call of an animal in the throws of torture and death. It came again and the mere sound of it made his body shudder in horror. Without thought, he turned his canoe eastward and started toward the dismal cries. His better judgment told him to go in the opposite direction and to let nature care for its own, but his insatiable curiosity would not be suppressed. He kept his small craft in the relative cover of the outlying trees staying far enough away from the deep lake to make the swamp’s shallower water useful to his push pole.

  The loud, crying sounds ceased for a time and Teek was afraid that he might be too late. He stopped his pushing and stared across the water searching for any sign that might give him a clue as to where the animal had been. Nothing moved in the eerie silence, not even the bugs that usually kept a study hum reverberating throughout the swamp. Long minutes passed but still nothing changed. His curiosity started losing ground to caution. Whatever it was must be dead. And if I don’t want to end up the same, I better turn around and glide out of here. Just then, another loud cry drifted across the lake. Forgetting caution’s warnings, Teek hurried his pace towards the sound, anxious to find out what was making the noise and why. The trees passed quickly and great beads of sweat poured off his lean body as he worked hard to close the distance between him and the horrific sound. Another cry splintered the air with its high screeching sound making Teek plant his pole and bring himself to a quick stop. He was close.

  Steering his canoe deeper into the swamp he decided it best to come up from behind. He dipped his pole silently into the gloomy water concentrating all of his senses on the swamp surrounding him. Make another cry so I can know your exact location. Come on, let me hear you. EEEEERRRROOOCCC! The sound came again revealing itself as just in front and to his right. He smiled; thankful the creature had cooperated so well. He moved his canoe to the right and then stopped, straining his eyes, searching for movement. Then he saw it. Something white ruffled in the trees. A shot of adrenaline coursed through his body making him shake with anticipation.

  Again, his pole dipped into the water and his dugout moved forward. He took in the surrounding area checking for anything that might be hiding in wait but quickly determined he was alone. Slowly, he passed another Teague tree, closing the gap between him and whatever was making the terrible noise. EEEERRROOOCCC! Another booming blast shot across the water. This close, the sound was deafening. He moved more to his right trying to reach an area of cover where he could get a better look without revealing himself. Just one more tree and the creature should be in direct view.

  Sitting behind a large tree that served well as cover, he waited while trying to settle his nerves and muster the courage to peek out. His heart raced in his ears and his hands were soaked with sweat making it difficult to keep a firm grip on his push pole. Just a slight lean to the right and he knew it would be in clear view. All right now, just settle down. I’m out of its view. Just a quick look and then I can sneak away.

  Teek carefully placed his pole inside the boat and then pressed his hands and face against the tree. Ever so slowly, he inched along the bark making for the edge. His head finally reached the last slice of cover and he paused. Just one more inch and it would be in full view. Taking a deep breath, he slowly moved his head forward. He froze. It was staring right at him. Another loud screech broke the still, blasting him in its wake. It was huge! And it knew where he was! Teek jerked back and pulled out his dagger. He waited for the inevitable attack, repeating every prayer he knew to every ancestor or god he had ever heard of. His legs felt like tender new grass during a heavy spring rain and he wasn’t certain how much longer they would support his suddenly weighty body. But long minutes passed and nothing happened. What was it waiting for?

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  His heart pounded and his breathing increased but he still felt as if not enough air was getting in. His fear of what would likely happen next chilled him, but the long waiting was almost more unbearable. He tried to settle down and prepare for death knowing he would probably be torn into pieces in only a matter of seconds. What is it waiting for?

  Teek suddenly felt anger replacing his fear at the creature’s apparent disregard for his anxiety. Didn’t it realize what it was putting him through by waiting as it was? Why didn’t it just come and eat him? His anger was fast robbing him of the fear that tried desperately to hold on but was rapidly slipping away with each passing moment. The cold dread began to melt before the fires of indignation that were increasing in intensity. How dare it make him suffer more than was needed!

  Teek firmly gripped his dagger and again pressed his face against the tree. All was silent. He was beginning to wonder if the large creature had not left thinking him too small a morsel for the effort. Sweat raced down his back as he inched slowly around preparing for another look. A few more inches and he would clear the trunk. If it had not been for the rage that now scorched through his veins, he knew he probably would not have been able to move at all.

  His eyes cleared the bark and again were met by the large creature staring back. Another cry blasted out but this time Teek held his ground. He had decided that if he was going to be eaten it was time
to get busy and have it done with. It was then his eye caught sight of something he hadn’t noticed before. A wave of relief suddenly pulsed through his small frame with enough force to send a shiver through his slight body. A smile broke across his face as he stared intently at the rope that was secured around the creature’s leg. Feeling relatively safe, he moved away from the tree completely and stood in plain view allowing him time to examine the animal that suddenly appeared more majestic than savage.

  It quickly became obvious that the massive creature was some type of bird. It was enormous, standing at least three times his height. Its beak was curved down like that of an eagle, as were the razor sharp talons that dug into the ground beneath it. Its feathers were pure white excepting for those on its neck and head which had streaks of dark red and brown that flared over the top of its skull and came to a point between its enchanting eyes. They were a crystal blue of amazing clarity and reflected an eerie light of extreme intelligence.

  Teek’s breath caught in his throat. He was filled with a sense of awe and reverence for such a magnificent and regal looking animal. He was amazed by its beauty but caution was still in the forefront of his mind. He’d seen an eagle pull a fish from the water and then devour it quickly with its razor beak. He knew that this bird could do the same to him. With that thought, he checked the rope fastened around the bird’s leg once more, needing reassurance that it really was secure. It was then that he noticed something strange about it. Following the rope he moved his eyes from the bird’s leg and then up, overhead, to a half bent tree that was snagged under the extending branches of another. It’s caught in a half sprung trap.

  Teek tried to figure out the mechanism surrounding the snare and quickly realized that the bent over tree was originally suppose to pull its quarry up and back towards the trunk where it would slap its head and then be suspended upside down in the water. He gasped in horror. The large bird would be dead if the trap fully engaged itself. “How could anyone do such a thing?” he breathed, completely dismayed.