Before her brother could intercede, Kahm reached out his hand and a startled breath escaped him as the girl accepted his help up the steep embankment.
The girl’s trusting nature soothed him in a way that he couldn’t explain and just this once he wanted to be worthy of that trust.
Talon had no choice but to follow close at their heels. The man sped up until they were in a full out run. Talon could only hope that they would be able to find somewhere safe to hide.
Their hurried footsteps would lead the Hokum warriors directly to them. With every breath that he took, fear ate away at his soul.
CHAPTER SIX
“You cannot tire out now.” Kahm urged the young man to hurry.
The girl and her brother were in imminent danger and those that hunted them ran hard on their trail. The girl tightened her grip on his hand and he thought to himself that her trust in him was completely unfounded and undeserved. He was a broken man shattered long ago by his own failures.
The young man stumbled once as if fatigue weighed his steps down and Kahm slowed his pace with a quick glance over his shoulder.
“Hurry!” Kahm urged as Wolf’s teeth flashed.
Talon placed both hands upon his knees as he gasped for breath. Sunflower’s eyes were wide with fear and uncertainty. He could see that she needed him to be strong. With a deep breath, he forced his tired limbs into motion. His sister needed him to be more than he had ever imagined that he could be.
Wolf growled in warning and Kahm recognized that the men behind them were gaining on their position. He led the way as they entered a nearby stream, effectively hiding their footsteps.
Wolf didn’t enjoy the water, but he obediently remained at their side. Kahm’s initial thought was to lead the pair away from his sanctuary, but there was no time to find a safe haven. He needed to take the fleeing pair back to his cave.
The entrance was hidden in a well-concealed cavern that had been covered by a rockslide long ago, only a small cleft remained. Kahm masked their trail as they left the water and much to his surprise, the young man aided him with every step.
Even with his trained eye, Kahm wouldn’t have been able to find the place where they had emerged from the water. He saw the entrance to his cave from a great distance, though it was all but invisible to others. He ushered the pair inside even as he released the girl’s hand and guided her toward her brother. He motioned for Wolf to stay put as he left without another word.
In the silence of the cave, Talon’s breathing was loud and grating even to his own ears. He took deep breaths until his racing heartbeat grew steady and calm. His limbs trembled with fatigue as he forced his body to relax, despite the danger that they faced. He would need the strength that remained in him if their hiding place was discovered.
Talon’s senses were attuned to their surroundings as he focused his attention on the cave entrance. He unsheathed his hunting knife with quiet determination.
Sunflower’s eyes were filled with concern and she panted in fear. His sister wouldn’t weep, not when she knew that he needed her to be strong. Instead, she blinked furiously until her eyes were once again clear. The wolf whined softly as they turned their eyes toward the small amount of light that spilled into the cave.
The light flickered with shifting shadows, announcing the presence of their enemies.
Sarnom scented the air like an animal in pursuit of prey. He was gratified to learn that Situ had discovered a trail leading into the forest. His smile was full of malice as he considered how he would punish Talon for his treachery. Nothing short of the young man’s death by torture would appease his senses. He wanted blood and he wouldn’t allow anyone to sway him from his course.
“Find them! Bring Sunflower to me and bind Talon’s hands and feet!” Sarnom’s chest swelled with pride as the men hurried to do his bidding.
Situ ran at the head of the warriors and he didn’t want to consider how he would face Sarnom or Chumal if they failed. At times, he knew that they journeyed without direction, for Talon was adept at hiding his trail. Situ almost wished that he had not discovered the telltale signs of Talon’s unconcealed flight.
The sight of wolf tracks surprised him as nothing else had. The warriors that he led were caught up in the frenzy that Sarnom effortlessly inspired. Situ believed that Sarnom overstepped his place as the brother of the leader of their village, but Chumal was their war leader and he kept step with Sarnom.
He told himself to focus his attention upon the trail at his feet and he felt certain that they were getting close. Suddenly, the familiar sound of bubbling water echoed through the forest. It was unlikely that Talon had learned of their pursuit, but if the young man had indeed caught sight of them, he would take to the water.
Situ forced his feet to move swiftly in pursuit, but dread swept over him in waves. Sarnom was in a rage that would only be soothed by the spilling of blood. He told himself that he must harden his heart against compassion for a young man that had betrayed his village. However, he had never known Talon to act without loyalty. Something must have caused him to flee. Yet, Sarnom had offered no explanations for Talon’s behavior and Chumal sought only to gain Sarnom’s approval. Situ had no choice but to follow their orders.
“Find Talon! Find Sunflower!” Chumal’s shout carried to the Hokum warriors and Sarnom watched with satisfaction as the men plunged into the rocky stream.
Talon heard a barely discernible shuffling sound outside of the cave and he remained motionless until he saw that it was only the man that had helped them.
When the man turned to face them, he immediately placed one palm over his mouth. Talon knew without question that the man wanted them to remain completely silent.
He told himself that the cave was well hidden and therefore they would be protected. The Hokum warriors couldn’t find them if they didn’t know where to look.
Kahm urged them to move to the back of the cave. He wanted the pair far away from the entrance.
“There is not any reason that the men outside should be able to find the opening to this cave.” He kept his voice pitched low as he spoke.
He had only stumbled upon the cavern by accident and he knew that the entrance was almost completely hidden from view.
If the men breached the cave entrance, they would be forced to surrender. Surrender was their only choice and yet, he realized that he would fight for the two siblings that had no one else to stand with them. He didn’t know what they were running away from or why they were in the forest alone, but everything within him cried out that he must protect those that couldn’t protect themselves.
It was obvious that the young man was fiercely protective of his sister. His eyes were watchful and every movement was defensive. His body was well muscled though lean and he appeared to be about seventeen seasons of age.
Sounds directly outside echoed through the cave. Shards of light filtered inside and Kahm noticed that the girl grew afraid simply because of the intense look upon her brother’s face.
Wolf’s ears were up and forward, indicating that he also heard the intruders that searched for them. The cave was dimly lit by sunlight but Kahm saw dark spots crowding out the light. His hearing became achingly acute. He could hear the trickling water from the cave walls, which was ordinarily barely discernible. Yet, the flow of water sounded like a roaring torrent in his ears. Time began to slow and by sheer force of will, Kahm held himself immobile.
He was able to pinpoint the exact sound of footsteps outside of the cave wall. The men spoke in the same language as the young man and it was clear that they were frustrated in their search. The sudden silence was all-consuming as a shadow passed in front of the cave entrance.
Situ crept forward on silent feet. Sarnom and the other men searched the surrounding area as they spread out in a formation taken by hunters. They were fearsome in appearance, fully conditioned to the harsh landscape and difficult terrain. The men wore loincloths and moccasins, leaving their chests bare, many wore their h
air braided in preparation for battle and the honorable death that they might face. They had taken the time to sharpen their weapons at the outset of their journey and they held their spears loosely in their hands.
Situ glanced at the men that were hunters by necessity and warriors by the same right. Doubts assailed him as he considered all that he knew about Talon. He had trained the young man himself in the ways of the hunt. If not for Sarnom’s obvious disapproval, Talon would have become a warrior of their village.
Situ had no doubt that he would gain a measure of acceptance from Chumal and Sarnom if he found the pair that they sought. Yet, he also knew that he wouldn’t be able to prevent Sarnom from taking Talon’s life if that was his intent.
Situ had recently taken a young woman that he had known since childhood as his lifemate. There was a time when he would have felt comfortable with his prior actions, but now he had reason to wonder if fear of reprisal had begun to steal his soul.
“We have lost their trail.” Situ was the first to call a halt to their search as he drew Chumal’s attention.
“You do not expect me to believe that you and the other men cannot find Talon and his sister, do you?” Sarnom’s mouth was flecked with white froth as his cold eyes landed upon the Hokum warriors.
“We have searched the forest without catching even a glimpse of Talon or Sunflower.” Situ held Sarnom’s gaze without flinching. “The men must return to the village so that we can bring in the catch for the day. Perhaps Talon and Sunflower have already returned to the village. Who can say?”
“We will keep searching until I call a halt. Remember that Talon stands in defiance of my kindness!” Sarnom shouted.
“Just so.” Chumal responded, as he ignored Situ’s thunderous expression. He called out instructions as he turned the men back toward the small stream where they would resume their search.
It didn’t escape Situ’s notice that Sarnom had just condemned the women and children of their village to a day of hunger and deprivation. He also noticed that the hard lines of Sarnom’s face spoke of deceit and there was an unhinged look in his eyes that was difficult to ignore. Situ realized that things were not as they seemed and he suddenly hoped that Talon would take Sunflower far away from their village and never return.
Kahm knew the exact moment that the men began to move away from the entrance of the cave. Their retreat could be a ruse to draw them out, but he didn’t believe that this was so. They were greatly outnumbered; if the men had found the cave entrance, they would have overtaken them without delay.
The afternoon turned into evening and although they relaxed their guard, they didn’t speak. Sunflower drifted in and out of sleep while Talon watched over her. When darkness began to fall and the hackles on Wolf’s shoulders lowered, Kahm shifted position and spoke to the young man.
“Are you able to understand my words?” Kahm received an answer as silence filled the cave.
Talon glanced at him sharply. “What language do you speak? You do not belong to the Hokum Village.”
Kahm remained silent and the young man looked at him as if he was suddenly untrustworthy. He realized how odd he must appear to a stranger. What type of man lived with a wolf in the silence of the forest? He knew that it had not escaped the young man’s notice that he purposefully withheld the name of his village.
Talon didn’t know what to make of the powerful warrior that stared at him with rapt attention.
His gaze landed upon his sister. She was sleeping peacefully with her hands tucked under her chin while her face remained cast in shadows.
“Hokum.” Kahm’s voice captured the young man’s attention. It was his responsibility to know of the villages and bands that dwelled nearby. Kahm had heard of the Hokum Village and he had even learned their language long ago.
“Yes, we once belonged to the Hokum Village.” He thought perhaps the man’s fierce scowl shifted for a moment, but he was not certain. Talon looked once more at Sunflower and saw that she was only pretending to sleep, as was her way. Her eyelashes provided a shield for her brown eyes to hide behind, but Talon knew his sister well. She watched everything around her and she would only pretend to stir when she was ready.
“I am called Talon.” It was difficult to speak over the sudden lump in his throat as he felt the full force of the responsibility that rested upon his shoulders. “My sister is called Sunflower.”
Though it was forbidden, Talon used his hand to mimic the opening of a flower and the rays of the sun as Kahm silently watched. Talon had never seen a person sit so still.
“Thank you for your help.” Talon humbly inclined his head.
Without the warrior’s guidance, his life would have been forfeit and Sunflower would have been given back to Sarnom. Talon shuddered to think of what would have happened to Sunflower if she had remained in Sarnom’s care.
Kahm studied the young man suspiciously for a moment before responding. Talon. Sunflower. These were the names of the siblings that he sheltered within his cave.
“Kahm.” He touched his chest as he said his own name and cleared his throat after speaking. His voice was rusty from little use. “Can she hear?”
Kahm pointed at Sunflower and then at his own ears. Silence was his only answer.
Talon hesitated to answer Kahm’s question. He knew that most people would shun anyone that suffered from a disability. In most villages, a deaf child would have been given to the wind at birth.
“No, Sunflower cannot hear.” Talon lifted his chin proudly as he allowed Kahm to see that he was not ashamed.
“Then she is cursed.” Kahm ignored the kernel of fear that shivered over his backbone. From the first, he was hesitant to help the girl or her brother. Now he had brought a cursed child into his dwelling.
“She is not cursed.” Talon struggled to keep his voice low and even, devoid of anger. He didn’t blame Sunflower for the calamity that had befallen them. It was Sarnom that had tried to harm his sister and remove the innocence from her eyes. Talon didn’t hold his entire village responsible for their ostracism. He had come to realize that people often feared what they didn’t understand.
“How do you communicate with your sister?” Kahm recognized the edge of fear that hovered at the back of his mind as he considered ousting the pair from the cave.
Talon had confirmed his thoughts about Sunflower and he regarded them with suspicion, now more than ever. He knew that it was better to remain silent and let the night pass without talking so that he could send the siblings on their way in the morning.
It was only by remaining devoid of emotion that his life of enforced solitude remained bearable. He told himself that he was better off alone.
“It is difficult to explain, but she understands.” Talon found it challenging to express the way that Sunflower placed her hands against the ground so that she could feel the vibration of his footsteps. She also recognized his expressions and with a glance, she understood whether he was hungry, tired or had returned from a successful hunt. There were no words to explain such things and no hope that this man would believe him.
Kahm narrowed his eyes as Talon looked away and once more rested his gaze upon his sister.
“She does not sleep.” Kahm indicated Sunflower’s pretense of sleeping. Talon’s eyes widened slightly before he shook his head in silent agreement. For a moment, it was as if they shared a common bond. Sunflower.
Kahm realized that he had been distracted, first by the girl and then her brother. Ordinarily, he could avoid the pain that came from leaving his village behind and the bitter loss of Oi’yan. Suddenly, the familiar agony returned and it brought an avalanche of intense anguish that caught him off guard. Kahm would have stumbled had he not been sitting down. He closed his eyes so that Talon wouldn’t see the sickness that lived inside of him.
This was why he dwelled alone in a cave. He was not normal. He was no longer a favored son or a beloved brother. He was something hideous and grotesque to the people of his village. This he kn
ew well.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“If we do not return to our village who will hunt for our women and children? Who will send out the fishing boats in the morning?” Situ heard the questions voiced by the men as they took a moment to rest. They were tired and agitated. Situ watched Matiye stray away from the rest of the men, before turning his attention back to the others.
During their search, Matiye had discovered a small crevice that could have been wide enough to hide Talon and Sunflower. He found himself wishing that Talon had confided in him the night that he had fled. Matiye held his breath as he caught and held Situ’s gaze. He could only hope that his thoughts had not been visible upon his face. He didn’t dare to breathe until the beleaguered warrior finally broke contact.
Situ couldn’t forget that he was the one that had taught Talon how to hunt and send his arrow flying straight and true. The young man had grown in cleverness and ability until he rivaled any of their hunters. Talon was capable and wise for his age, though the others shunned him. Sarnom’s disruptive voice broke into his thoughts as he strode into the circle of men with Chumal at his side. His lips twisted with disgust as he addressed them.
“You have failed to find Talon and his sister. You are weak and useless!” Sarnom spat at their feet as a couple of the men struggled to contain their anger. Chumal remained stubbornly silent and it was obvious that he wouldn’t speak out against Sarnom.
A few of the other men grumbled in frustration.
“Umati does not care if Sarnom spits at our feet and declares that we are weak.” An angry voice spoke out from the group of men and Sarnom turned to face his accuser.
“What is your name?” Sarnom held his hunting spear in one hand as a vengeful gleam entered his eyes.
Matiye started to respond just as Situ placed a staying hand upon his arm.
Pillar of Fire (Book One-The Whale Hunter Series) Page 5