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

by Karah Quinney

  “My brother’s words are true. The perils of our existence keep us honest and thankful for what the great water provides. Never let it be said that we walk as men ungrateful and disloyal by showing disdain for the life of the great sea beast.” Miche’s voice was stern and reverent all at once.

  “Remember that we do not hunt the largest of the sea beasts that swim through these waters with no enemy. They will only laugh at our attempt to capture them and we will offend the spirit of the whale. Greater men than I have fallen into the depths of the sea, never to return. Do not act in haste to spear a whale that should never be hunted by man. Remember these words and you will return with your life.”

  Silence was the only response to Miche’s words. Kahm met Talon’s unflinching gaze and the flickering firelight cast the young man’s face in shadows. Kahm had no doubt that Talon was capable of leading his village and defending his people.

  Kahm thought of Oi’yan waiting for him in the small cave that had once sheltered him as it now sheltered his wife. He hoped to see the task at hand to completion and if they were successful, by some blessing from above, then he wouldn’t rest until his own people were free.

  Sarnom and Hetol stood at a distance, as they listened closely to everything that was said. Chumal shifted from one foot to the other, though he remained silent and brooding.

  “Talon has brought nothing but trouble to our village.” Hetol sneered as he waited for Sarnom to voice his agreement.

  When Sarnom failed to respond, he turned to face him. Shadows clung to Sarnom’s face, giving it a grotesque appearance. Hetol chose to remain silent as he quickly averted his gaze.

  Sarnom narrowed his eyes speculatively as he stared at the only living person that was able to challenge his position of authority. Talon.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Talon took in his surroundings as he roused from a restless sleep. Everything was as he remembered and yet vastly different. Now that he had challenged Sarnom, the people that he had always known, looked at him differently. A few gave nods of encouragement and offered hesitant greetings.

  Some of the villagers merely smiled when he met their eyes. It was as if they had been waiting for him to take his rightful place for many seasons. Yet, he had never imagined that such a challenge would come from him.

  It was good to feel welcomed by his people, for the first time in memory, but it was also bittersweet. He couldn’t help but wish that the Hokum Village had welcomed him, along with Sunflower from the very beginning.

  “You must not let bitterness steal your purpose.” Kahm spoke from nearby where he worked on the barbed point of a harpoon. Talon was not surprised that Kahm knew the path that his thoughts had taken. He had not made any attempt to hide his face though he had been consumed with thoughts of the past.

  “I want what is best for my people. I cannot help but think of how it would have been if they had acted against Sarnom or even his brother, before now.” Talon knew that Kahm wanted to teach him as much as possible with the time that remained before the whale hunt. It took a strong bond of trust to share his thoughts with the fierce warrior standing before him.

  “We cannot always have what we want. That is a lesson that you have already learned but would do well to remember. Is it not enough that you have come to understand that I accept you as well as Sunflower? That will never change, no matter what happens within this village.” The hope filled gaze that greeted Kahm’s words was almost too much to endure. Yet, Kahm chose not to look away.

  “It is true. We are now your family.” Miche added his voice to Kahm’s and Talon felt the words deep in his chest where emptiness had once existed except from the depth of feeling reserved for his sister.

  “Now, let us cleanse ourselves and beseech the heavens for a blessing.” Kahm turned to Talon and Miche with a look that held mirth instead of anxiety. “Hope that Oi’yan has prayed for us this day. The woman has prayers that shake the world. Never fear.”

  “Sunflower has given us her blessing.” Talon reminded both men in response to Kahm’s words. Sunflower’s blessing was not one that they would ever forget.

  Although the girl had not spoken, she had touched each one of them upon the shoulder, first on the left and then on the right, before sending them on their way. She would remain with Ad’isi until they returned.

  “When I am with Sunflower, it is as if I am standing in the presence of a child that is more than what she seems.” Miche voiced his thoughts aloud and Kahm nodded in agreement.

  Talon merely grunted in response. He was not a person to waste words and there was no reason to confirm what he already knew to be true.

  “Where is Talon?” Sarnom asked Hetol as the other men gathered around. They had completed the construction of their boat and they were ready to leave.

  “He sits with the two men from the Chumal village. They are seeking guidance from the spirit world.” Hetol scoffed as Sarnom directed the men to load the boat with their supplies.

  “Sarnom, we will have enough water for three days and the food will need to be rationed throughout our journey.” Chumal glanced over his shoulder toward the village before turning his attention back to Sarnom.

  “I trust that you will see to the supplies.” Sarnom glared at Chumal as the man backed away with a quick nod of his head.

  He watched as Chumal bent to the task of loading the boat with enough supplies to last a few days. The men were prepared, though many glanced anxiously toward the village.

  He told the men that the omens were bad, now that Sunflower had returned. Only he was capable of controlling the girl feared by others because of her inability to hear. The hunger that lived inside of him wouldn’t go away until he possessed the girl that held him in thrall. No one else would stand in her place. She had become a prize of invaluable measure and he swore to himself that he would have her once his position within their village was secure.

  Wrath filled Sarnom’s chest as he thought of Talon’s challenge in front of the people of their village. He had come too far and sacrificed too much to turn back now and he refused to bow low in defeat. At times, the death of his brother weighed upon his soul, but he thrust all guilt aside. Umati didn’t deserve the place of leadership over the Hokum Village and it was only fitting that the position of leadership should now belong to him.

  Filled with steady resolve, Sarnom looked out over the expanse of water and he was certain that he would triumph over Talon.

  As morning light filtered over the sand, Talon focused his attention upon the ritual that he had undergone to become a warrior. He drew strength from the ceremony led by Kahm for the benefit of the men that would hunt the whale. He was also filled with a sense of completion, knowing that his father had started along this path, long ago.

  With his eyes closed, Talon asked for a blessing upon his people. He asked that he might lead them properly and see to their needs. The wind whipped at his hair, which had been carefully braided by his sister. Sunflower stepped away from Talon to signal that she was finished with her task. He thanked her, though he didn’t like to see the concern in her eyes.

  “All will be well, Sunflower, you will see.” Talon hoped that his words would reassure his sister and he was satisfied when she signed her agreement.

  Kahm and Miche sat beside a small, flickering fire as they ate the meal that Sunflower had prepared. They were thankful that they had managed to catch enough fish to satisfy their hunger, but the effort was far more strenuous than it should have been.

  “Talon, come quickly!” Matiye’s shout carried to the men and his voice was filled with urgency as Talon ran toward him. “Hurry!”

  “What is it, Matiye?”

  “The villagers have said that Sarnom and the men with him left during the moments before sunrise.”

  Anger simmered below the surface as Talon turned to face Kahm, Miche and Sunflower.

  “I underestimated Sarnom, when I should have expected him to act in a crafty manner.” Talon didn’t nee
d to tell Kahm and Miche that it was a mistake that he might be forced to pay for with his life. Sunflower clasped her hands together in concern as she watched him hurry to leave on the whale hunt.

  Talon shouted to the men to make ready as the village began to hum with activity. Shortly thereafter, the warriors chosen to hunt the whale separated themselves from the Hokum villagers.

  Situ and Matiye remained by Talon’s side, even as the men took their positions in the boat, one after another. The entire village stood at the water’s edge, watching expectantly.

  As Kahm started to take a place on Talon’s boat, Ad’isi called out to them.

  “This is a challenge that must be met by men of the Hokum Village.” The older man’s voice was firm.

  Kahm sighed heavily as he met Talon’s level gaze. “Miche and I will wait near the shore for your return.”

  A wave of shock passed through all those gathered upon the beach, but Talon didn’t hesitate. Kahm wanted them to know that he had full faith in Talon’s ability to lead them, even on their first whale hunt.

  “Watch over Sunflower.” Talon said in reply as both men nodded solemnly.

  Matiye slapped Talon on the back as he indicated his braided hair. “You have been prepared for the sacred path, but you will not seek it out so soon. Let us go. We must find the whale before Sarnom.”

  Many of the men had dressed in preparation for death, should their efforts fail. Talon had honored the traditions of the Hokum Village, by allowing Sunflower to braid his hair, but he was not dressed in ceremonial garb. He wore a warm weather parka, stitched leggings and his hunting knife strapped to his waist.

  “Talon, see that you do not spear the older males that live in these waters. They are much too powerful for any man.” Kahm’s words were a final warning to Talon and the other men.

  “Remember what you have learned!” Miche’s voice reached Talon’s ears as they shoved off. Talon stole one last glance at his people, waiting silently upon the beach along with the twin warriors of Chimar.

  Sunflower stood at a distance, forever marked as different from the other girls her age. He reminded himself that Kahm and Miche were strong men of great power and yet they believed in him. It was this that he would remember as he sought out the whale that swam in the depths of the Great Water.

  Situ had been stunned to see Kahm and his brother step aside at the last moment. He saw that Talon’s eyes were filled with steady resolve.

  “This way!” Talon pointed far into the distance where they rarely ever traveled.

  Situ had seen the great sea beasts before, but never had he considered hunting such sacred animals. When he thought of the bounty produced by the Great Water, he wondered, not for the first time, why he had allowed weaker men to think for him. No more!

  Situ remembered the malicious look that Sarnom had cast his way when they were last face to face. He had no doubt that Sarnom would find a way to destroy anything that he valued. Wiope, his sweet wife, would be the first to suffer if they failed.

  Talon addressed the men that wore various expressions ranging from fear to acceptance as they surveyed their surroundings.

  “Some of you might think that I didn’t have any right to challenge Sarnom. He held a threat over my father that forced him to leave his family behind. I have learned that my father died in the village of Chimar. He cannot return to lay claim to his rightful place as leader of the Hokum Village and so I challenged Sarnom in his place, as is my right!” Talon’s voice was firm and no one spoke against him.

  “Those of you that have decided to sabotage my attempts to hunt the whale, remember this, you take food from the mouths of your wives and children.” Talon knew that he struck at the heart of each man present. Hunger was their greatest fear and survival a constant challenge.

  “The whale that we hunt will feed our entire village. Remember this, if you think to act in betrayal instead of seeing to the needs of our people.”

  Due to the approach of the cold season, the men would have to travel far into the depths of the Great Water in search of the whale. Despite the risk to their lives, there was no guarantee that the hunt would prove successful.

  It was not until well past midday that Talon called out for the men to cease rowing. In the distance, they caught sight of a boat that could hold none other than Sarnom and his men. As they approached, it became obvious that Sarnom had spotted the first sign of whale. Situ urged Talon to give the call for them to move forward but Talon held up a hand for silence.

  “No. We will wait.” Talon’s voice was firm.

  He was aware of the ever-present danger that stalked them. The water that blew into the air was immense and Talon wondered exactly what type of whale Sarnom and his men had encountered.

  Loud cries erupted from the second boat as the men drew abreast of their target. Talon could see that their efforts would meet with failure.

  “Sarnom and the men with him have stumbled upon the great whale, an apex beast of the sea. It is a creature that no man has the right to hunt.” Talon took up his oar and signaled the men to continue rowing.

  Situ gave the call for the men to row along with the current. Their combined efforts pushed them onward.

  Night came upon them suddenly as if it had been waiting to close in around the fatigued men. The lights in the sky were bright beacons and Talon noticed that the moon was full and the luminary that never wavered remained brightly at its side. They were in the midst of the great water and the twinkling lights overhead would serve as their guide. The water surrounded them like a dark abyss and he could sense the fear that loomed over the others.

  “Matiye, light one of the torches.” Talon knew that his voice would carry to the men that rested in place beside him. Matiye had remained quiet throughout the day, but he quickly did as he was asked.

  Fearful thoughts plagued the men as the darkness around them reached out and enfolded their boat. When he lit the first torch, it was as if the men could breathe deeply for the first time.

  “We are men of the land, not of the sea.” Talon’s voice was a dry rasp. They were far away from any fresh water and the precious liquid had to be carefully rationed. “Long ago, before the world was as it is now, men hunted the whale. It was their way and their people lived long lives with full bellies. Over the passage of time the traditions were lost and men became fishermen instead of whale hunters.”

  Situ, Matiye and the other men listened with rapt attention as Talon spoke in a voice filled with certainty. As he had intended, his story shifted their focus and brought a sense of calm to the men.

  “How is it that you have come to know these things?”

  Talon thought carefully before he answered. “One day, as I was walking the beach in search of food, I found a great mound of sand. As I explored further, I brushed the sand away and discovered what appeared to be white rock hidden beneath. I had never seen anything like it before and so all day I scraped and carved away at the sand. Before the sun took its rest, I stood back and looked at what I had uncovered.”

  Talon drew a deep breath and the silence lengthened as the water lapped soothingly at the sides of their boat. No one dared interrupt a storyteller as he spoke. Talon knew that it wouldn’t have won the men over to his side to tell them of the adventures that Kahm and Miche had not only lived, but also survived.

  While the stories given to him by Kahm and Miche were valuable, they were foreign to these men. In the telling of this particular story, Talon gave them something rare; he revealed the secret of their own heritage.

  “I found that the white rock was not rock at all but bone. Whalebone.” A few sounds of surprise reached Talon’s ears.

  “I was stunned and so I sat for a while as the sun started to fade. Finally, I stood and walked close so that I could see the whalebone clearly. Do you know what I found?” Talon waited patiently as the men formed silent answers in their minds.

  “I found knife and spear marks. I found proof that our ancestors hunted the whal
e. They didn’t sit idly by while their village starved.” Talon’s words struck like a spear to their hearts. The men with him had fished until their fingers bled, but their efforts had not been enough to feed all those born to the Hokum Village.

  “It is not my wish to turn you against Sarnom. He has done that to himself. I only want what is best for our village. Tomorrow, we will find the whale and when we do, we will make a new way for our people.” Talon leaned back against the side of the boat and closed his eyes.

  His heart thudded like a maddened beast, but in the silence of his mind, he sought peace and beauty.

  Sarnom seethed with anger. It was better to give in to anger than to the pervading sense of fear that clung to their boat.

  The cloying darkness of the sea ate at him constantly, causing his mind to spin wildly from one thought to another. There was a crashing sound nearby and Sarnom flinched. No one knew the multitude of beasts that swam beneath the turbulent water. There were things unknown for a reason.

  He cursed Talon again for forcing his hand. He should have killed him as soon as he noticed that he had the look of his father. Memories of Talon’s father surfaced and he was powerless to stop his thoughts from drifting into the distant past.

  Dyami had been a strong man and he had also been the rightful leader of the Hokum Village, but he was weak in a way that allowed Sarnom an advantage. Sarnom sensed that Dyami’s family was his only weakness.

  Their village had been led by a council of elders that slowly died as the seasons came and went. Sarnom’s lips twitched at the corners as he thought about how many of the old ones he had helped die a peaceful death.

  It was not his fault that they held the power that he sought. It was not his fault that his brother, Umati, had been firstborn and lacking in ambition. He didn’t grieve the loss of his brother, even now. Only Dyami had stood in his way. The man had been the only son of one of the first bands to arrive at the place that was now the Hokum Village.