Pillar of Fire (Book One-The Whale Hunter Series)

by Karah Quinney

  They were alone in the forest and Talon took the time to use the hand gestures that were forbidden in their village.

  Sunflower knew the hand sign for Sarnom’s name and she nodded in understanding. However, when Talon moved Sunflower from his side to where the imaginary Sarnom stood, she vigorously shook her head.

  Talon growled in frustration and Sunflower pressed her hands against his back. He knew that his sister enjoyed the vibration that came from sounds that were not only audible but also tangible. Her delicate brow knit in confusion.

  Sunflower was capable of speaking, but she had determined on her own that her voice was not pleasing to the ears of the villagers. Only during her time with Talon did she enunciate her gestures with sound.

  Talon watched her as she pretended to outline an imaginary Sarnom and then she stood next to the pretend figure. With a great leap, she jumped toward Talon and threw her arms around his waist. Talon gave in to the laughter that his sister hoped to incite.

  Sunflower’s eyes lit mischievously and for a moment, Talon forgot his worries. It was only when she stepped away and looked at him expectantly that the heaviness that had been with him returned to weigh heavily upon his chest.

  Today was the third day of mourning. Tomorrow, Sarnom expected him to bring Sunflower to his lodge. It was obvious that Sunflower didn’t wish to go. However, he couldn’t ignore the tattered state of their clothing or the frayed moccasins that encased their feet. Shame was a low burning flame in his belly as he forced himself to take a hard look at their circumstances.

  He asked himself how he would feed his sister if Sarnom withheld his right to the spoils from their daily hunt. He knew that his only friend, Matiye, would share his portion of food with them, but their survival was not his burden and Matiye’s family already relied heavily upon him. Without food, they would starve and he couldn’t allow that to happen.

  Sunflower ran ahead of him with her long black braids streaming behind her. Talon didn’t completely trust that Sarnom’s interest in Sunflower was wholesome and good. He couldn’t understand why Sarnom would choose to make Sunflower a lowly servant, stripping away her freedom and in effect, destroying her future.

  His hands shook with pent up anguish and frustration. Every fiber of his being told him that he couldn’t allow his innocent sister to fall into Sarnom’s grasping hands, yet he also knew that he had no other choice.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Sunflower watched her brother surreptitiously through the fringe of her eyelashes. She silently observed the rigid set of her brother’s shoulders and the deep sunken hollows upon his cheeks. His long black hair, hung straight and even well past his shoulder blades. He had dark, watchful eyes and a strong aquiline nose that bespoke their father’s strength. She knew Talon thought that she was sleeping, but instead she remained wide awake as worry burned in her heart.

  At times, she couldn’t understand how it was to live in a world filled with sound. When she concentrated, she clearly remembered the language of her mother and the sounds that she had known before the loss of her hearing. She knew how to form the words of her people and from time to time, she practiced forming those sounds when she was alone.

  In the silence of her mind, she recited the secrets known to those that were healers from times long lasting. Her mother had taught her the history of the world from the beginning of time. When she was alone, Sunflower liked to recite the stories that she had memorized because they reminded her of her mother.

  She thought of the way that her grandmother had ignored her presence for long spans of time and even the villagers went out of their way to avoid her. She had not told Talon that their grandmother’s last words to her had been an accusation that she was cursed.

  The thought of a curse upon her soul caused a shiver to spread over her backbone. If she was indeed cursed, then evil lived inside of her and there was no escape. She shuddered at the thought that the loss of her hearing must be punishment for some unknown offense and she wondered if she was the reason her mother had died.

  Sunflower often worried about the burden of responsibility carried by her brother. By observing Talon’s telling posture, she had no doubt that his shoulders were knotted with tension. She closed her eyes and silently promised to do everything in her power to help him.

  “Sunflower.” Talon spoke to his sister, even though he knew that she couldn’t hear him.

  Sunflower’s eyes remained closed as she blocked out the world around her and retreated to the dream world that she had created for herself.

  In the morning, he would be forced to surrender his sister to a man that had the false heart of an enemy. There was simply no other choice.

  Talon clasped Sunflower’s shoulder as he checked to see that she held her carrying basket. Sunflower’s eyes silently beseeched him to stop and explain his actions, but he knew that if he looked at her, he wouldn’t be able to do what must be done. He had agonized over his decision well into the night and though it pained him greatly, he realized that he couldn’t care for his sister on his own.

  Sarnom and his wives waited outside of their lodge and several of the villagers cast curious glances his way as he urged his sister forward. He tried to tell himself that the light of triumph that he saw in Sarnom’s eyes was not directed at Sunflower. The three women that held the honored position of wife to Sarnom didn’t meet his gaze as he directed his sister to stand at their side.

  “My wives will keep Sunflower occupied with various tasks. She will be treated as a daughter of my lodge.” Sarnom tore his eyes away from Sunflower’s frightened face as he looked at Talon.

  “Yet, you wish to take Sunflower to your dwelling as a servant, not a valued daughter.” Talon tasted bile at the back of his tongue as he struggled with the need to stand firm in his decision.

  His sister’s eyes silently begged him not to leave her.

  She didn’t need to use words to communicate her unhappiness. Her mouth hung open as if she would speak, but one glance at Sarnom and his wives served as a reminder that she should remain silent.

  Talon wished that he could have assured her that he would remain nearby and that he would always watch over her, even from a distance. However, he was concerned that Sunflower wouldn’t be able to accept her new life if he made such a promise. His legs threatened to buckle with anguish and pent up rage as he turned his back on the imploring gaze of his sister. He heard her small gasp of shock as he left her with a man that he despised.

  Talon told himself that he would have found a way to keep Sunflower with him if there had been any other choice. He silently took stock of everything that he owned. Other than his weapons and the baskets crafted by his sister, there was very little. He carried his hunting knife and a few spare arrowheads as he prepared to join the hunters’ lodge.

  As he crossed the village center, he saw that Sarnom’s wives reclined around the fire with a few of the other women. Umati was well entrenched in a hand bone game with a few of the men. He often grew angry if he lost and Sarnom usually remained at his brother’s side to soothe escalating tempers. Talon immediately noticed that Sarnom was not present and though he searched diligently for Sunflower, he didn’t see her sitting amongst the women and children.

  A tingling sensation crossed the back of his neck and Talon’s eyes moved of their own accord to search out Sarnom’s familiar form. He hoped to find him sitting amongst the other men as they partook of the evening meal. His concern grew as he turned to survey those seated around the fire.

  For a moment, the image of Sunflower flashed before his eyes. He saw her face clearly and she held out her hands to him in silent entreaty. Cold dread skittered across his soul and it was only the crackling sound of the fire that brought him back to the present.

  It appeared that everyone was present and ready to partake of the evening meal. Yet, where was his sister and where was Sarnom?

  Sarnom breathed heavily as he secured the entrance flap to his dwelling. His wives had taken up much
of the afternoon with their meaningless chatter and constant complaints. He had neglected the one thing that stood as a bright spot in his day. He saw that the girl sat in a corner wreathed by shadows. Sarnom watched Sunflower the same way that a hunter sighted a target with his bow and arrow.

  Her skin was alight with gold tones that flared red in the firelight and her large, brown eyes were shielded from view. He wanted her to look at him, but she stubbornly refused to raise her head. It was only as he dropped to his knees that she seemed to become aware of his presence. Her breath left her in a gasp that was audible and Sarnom felt his entire being thrill at the small sound. It occurred to him that there would be consequences if his propensity toward young flesh ever became known.

  Sunflower’s eyes widened in dismay as Sarnom moved around the small fire. He had ignored her presence inside of the lodge as his wives gave her their sewing to complete and sent her to gather fresh water. Yet, she constantly felt his eyes upon her.

  She didn’t know why her brother had left her with Sarnom, but she held out the small hope that Talon would return for her. She didn’t care to think of the way that her brother had turned away from her as if for the last time. Sunflower moved away from Sarnom’s reaching hands as he began to disrobe. She turned her eyes away from the sight of his naked chest and arms, bared to her view. He wore only a breechcloth and though she couldn’t hear him, she could see that his breathing was labored. Terror caused her to pant as she considered fleeing.

  Sarnom saw Sunflower’s eyes widen as she looked everywhere but at him. “You know that you have enthralled me. What happens next is your fault and yours alone.”

  When she didn’t respond, he grabbed hold of one of her small arms and squeezed with bruising strength. “I am Sarnom and my brother is the leader of this village. You will learn to obey me.”

  Sunflower trembled as Sarnom stroked his hands over her hair. He gathered the black mass in his palms and pressed it against his face as he inhaled. Tears blurred her vision as he suddenly released her and she hoped that he would turn away from her, but it was not to be. She shuddered as he pointed one finger toward his sleeping furs.

  Sunflower squeezed her eyes tightly closed as she called out to her brother from the quiet place in her mind. Talon, help me!

  She didn’t know of the things shared between men and women, but she knew that Sarnom’s intentions were wrong.

  “You will obey me!” Sarnom grabbed hold of her arm with bruising strength until she opened her eyes and looked at him. “Lie down on the sleeping furs!”

  When she merely stared past him, he snarled with barely concealed malice. He fisted his hands around her doeskin dress and licked his lips as he considered ripping the garment from her body.

  “Touch her again and you will die!” Talon’s voice filled the lodge.

  Sarnom turned to meet the threat of Sunflower’s brother, but the young man clasped an arm around his neck and squeezed. Sarnom landed a blow upon Talon’s face as he grunted in satisfaction. He struggled against Talon’s attempt to subdue him, but he couldn’t take a breath, nor could he fight the darkness that tinged the edges of his vision.

  Talon held on to Sarnom as the man flailed and fought. Under ordinary circumstances, Sarnom’s strength would triumph. However, Talon was full of strength born of soul searing rage and he had taken Sarnom by surprise.

  “Sunflower, run!” Talon spoke to his sister through clenched teeth, though she couldn’t hear him. She stared at them fearfully as he struggled with Sarnom and then she seemed to call upon the inner strength within her as she fled.

  Talon knew that he was fighting a losing battle when Sarnom thrust free of his hold as he struggled to catch his breath.

  Sunflower ran into the dark forest even as tears streamed down her face. She was disoriented and terrified as she scrambled over fallen trees and underbrush. Yet, one thought drowned out everything else. Talon had come for her when she needed him most.

  In her panic, she ran to the only familiar place that made her feel safe. She climbed the bluff that overlooked their village and clung to the large boulder set in place by hands far greater than those of men. Fear, coupled with concern for her brother, caused her to pant and gasp for breath. She hugged her knees to her chest as she tried to envision Talon finding her in the darkness.

  The billowing clouds crowded out the light from the luminaries overhead and Sunflower was effectively blind. She was deaf to the footsteps of the man that approached her. Anxiety stole through her body as she wiped the tears from her face and sat silently, trembling from the aftershocks of Sarnom’s attack.

  Suddenly, a hand reached out in the darkness and before she could find the breath to scream, strong arms closed around her.

  Talon panted as he held his sister against his side. He knew that he had frightened her by covering her mouth, but he needed to ensure her silence. He had no doubt that he had placed them in grave danger with his actions.

  Sarnom was still alive, although Talon had left him senseless and bleeding in his lodge. A rock from the fire pit had aided his escape. When he thought of the vile deed that Sarnom had intended, he wished that he had landed a killing blow. His worst fear had been confirmed. Sarnom wanted to mate with Sunflower, a mere child, in the way that a man joined his body with a woman. It sickened Talon to imagine what would have happened to his sister if he had been only a few moments too late.

  A plan formed in Talon’s mind as he considered their options. They couldn’t remain in the Hokum Village. He had managed to knock Sarnom senseless, but when he recovered, he would hunt Talon and Sunflower to the ends of the world.

  They would need to travel quickly and keep their load light. Sunflower was young and agile and he knew that she would be able to keep up with him if he pressed her to do so.

  He was not certain that they would be able to escape undetected. The consequences of trying to flee from their village after harming Sarnom were too terrible to imagine.

  He had no doubt that he was risking their lives by attempting to leave the village of their birth. Yet, the thought of staying behind and subjecting his sister to the fate that Sarnom planned was enough to spur him forward. Living under the constant threat of harm was worse than the possibility of death.

  “Come.” Talon touched Sunflower on the arm gently and she immediately blinked once and then opened her eyes. “I am sorry, Sunflower. I know that you cannot hear me, but I am deeply sorry.”

  She could not have heard him, but he wanted to believe that she understood. His sister’s eyes gleamed in the darkness as she took hold of his hand and he felt relief course through his soul. He hadn’t lost Sunflower’s trust, despite Sarnom’s attempts to crush the light of innocence from her eyes.

  Sunflower would follow him without question, but he wasn’t certain she understood that they would never return. He didn’t have the time to explain with gestures and hand signs that they needed to leave their home and village forever. His sister would simply have to place her trust in him.

  Talon led the way around their village. Sunflower had chosen to return to the bluff that overlooked their village, but they needed to cross through the boundary of the village to reach the forest beyond. It was well after the evening meal and most of the villagers were finishing their duties and preparing for the night ahead. Any moment, Sarnom’s wives would discover that he had been knocked senseless and Sunflower was nowhere to be found.

  He told himself that this was no different than any other night, but nothing could be farther from the truth. As they walked, Talon spied a youth named Hetol. He steered Sunflower away from Hetol but he knew that they wouldn’t walk past him unscathed.

  “Hetol.” Talon acknowledged the young man although he kept one hand upon his sister’s shoulder.

  His jaw clenched with determination as Hetol blocked their way and he was ready when Hetol shoved him, hoping to set him off balance. He stood firm, despite Sunflower’s gasp of dismay.

  “Leave us alone, Heto
l.” Talon was surprised at the quiet threat that filled his voice.

  “If I do not leave you alone, what will you do? Will you tell Sarnom?” Hetol scowled as Talon faced him with anger shimmering in his eyes.

  “Why would I tell your cousin anything?” Talon asked.

  “Sarnom has told everyone that he has taken Sunflower as a servant. He protects you too, does he not?” Hetol’s eyes glittered with anger and excitement.

  “Talon, I have been looking for you everywhere!”

  Talon turned as his friend and brother of the hunt came to stand at his side. He knew that Matiye had overheard Hetol’s accusations and while he appreciated his concern, he didn’t want Matiye to come under suspicion once he left.

  “Matiye, it is good to see you.” Talon saw the flash of concern that entered Matiye’s eyes as he took in Sunflower’s disheveled appearance.

  Hetol scowled at the interruption as Talon returned his attention to him.

  “You would be wise to move out of our way.” Talon shook his head in disgust over Hetol’s twisted relationship with Sarnom.

  With a last glance back at Matiye, he urged his sister forward.

  Sunflower heeded her brother’s silent command without hesitation. She was eager to be away from the glare of Hetol’s prying eyes.

  “Go on your way then! What do I care?” Hetol’s voice was loud enough to draw unwanted attention.

  Talon quickly put distance between them as Hetol turned away, but he noticed that Matiye stared after them. He swallowed the lump that filled his throat as he glanced back at his friend. Matiye was his only friend, but he had a family to provide for and Talon refused to put them at risk.

  Talon urgently gathered his weapons and the carrying pack that he had left outside of the hunters’ lodge. With Sunflower at his side, he focused on the journey ahead and the pressing need to escape.