“We will join Azin’s people by midday. I will send several of the young runners eager to prove themselves to this place where they will retrieve the meat. Come, we have much farther to go before we rest.” Kaichen gestured for the woman to follow behind him.
Antuk took up the rear as they journeyed onward. Not for the first time, Kaichen wished that he had brought his horse along with him. He was concerned about the man that they had managed to injure. If he had survived his wounds then it was possible that he pursued them. The woman’s fear was tangible and he could not determine if she feared them or the man that might even now be following after them.
Kaichen was unwilling to leave Antuk and check their trail for signs of pursuit. He walked with his bow in one hand and his spear in the other. If one injured man sought to challenge him for the woman, then the man had unknowingly chosen death instead of life.
Azin was surprised when one of the young boys ran to him, bouncing from foot to foot with breathless excitement. “Kaichen and Antuk have returned and they bring with them a young woman.”
He forced his body to move, though he had aches and pains in places that became better known to him each day. Kaichen had gone to seek food to fill their food caches, but what had he found instead?
Azin moved quickly and from a distance, he moved with the same sureness of footing as he had in his youth. His seasons of life spent as a hunter and warrior served him well, even in his old age. So too did his eyes take in every detail of the three people walking toward them.
He was not surprised that his people did not immediately circle around Kaichen and Antuk, eager for word of their brief journey. Kaichen’s scowl was firmly in place and he did not inspire feelings of welcome.
Antuk, for his part, appeared distracted by the noise of the villagers and the sights and sounds around them. Azin sighed as he looked upon the two men that had unknowingly become the future of the bands that took shelter upon the mesas and the deserts sands.
He noticed the proprietary gleam in Kaichen’s eyes as some of the young hunters stood ready to make their presence known to the young woman, huddled behind Kaichen.
Azin was not so old that he could not see the way that young woman’s eyes continued to flicker back and forth between their people and Kaichen. The young men of his band poked each other with elbows and slaps upon the back as they eyed the woman. Kaichen fairly growled as some of the bolder men walked forward. Before Kaichen could make his intentions known Azin cleared his throat, calling the people to order around him.
“I am Azin, leader of the people of this village. You are welcome here.” Azin directed his words to the young woman that stood like a willow swaying in the breeze. “Kaichen, it is good that you and my nephew have returned from your hunt. Come, we will go to your dwelling and you will tell me the story of your success.”
Azin’s eyes caught sight of the bundle that Antuk presented to him and he hid his smile as Kaichen grunted and then tapped three young men on the shoulder in rapid succession. He stood silently as Kaichen gave the young men directions and sent two of the warriors to watch after the young boys.
“Is there some hidden danger? Why are warriors needed to watch after our fastest runners?” Azin watched as Kaichen placed a hand upon the woman’s arm to draw her forward.
“Your nephew and I stopped several warriors from taking this young woman captive.” Kaichen bowed his head respectfully as Azin drew abreast of the fire outside of Kaichen’s dwelling.
A young boy ran forward and set a small fire to blaze before scrambling out of the way. It was obvious that the boy wanted to linger but one glance at Azin sent him scurrying out of the circle of the fire. Azin thought that Kaichen’s face would break into a smile as he placed his hand upon his walking stick.
They had both come to terms with Kaichen’s fear long ago. While Azin was quick to remind insolent young men of their place, he never used his walking stick to inflict punishment. Instead, he used the lash of his tongue and the heart of the listener to make his meaning clear.
“We will allow the young woman time to wash. I sense that her journey was both difficult and grievous.” Azin waited until Kaichen spoke to the young woman, urging her to enter his dwelling.
There was silence for a time as the young woman stood and made her way inside the dwelling of the man that had forced her to accompany him.
“Speak quickly.” Azin did not ask any questions as Kaichen began to tell him all that had befallen him.
“We brought her here, because her village was abandoned and I could not leave her to fend for herself.” Kaichen spoke as if he would turn the matter over to Azin, but Azin’s eyes narrowed in quiet contemplation.
“Her village has been taken by raiders. Those that would care for her have either been taken captive or killed. You are responsible for her life. It was you that decided to rescue her instead of leaving her to her fate.” Azin’s wise eyes saw the flare of Kaichen’s nostrils as the woman returned to kneel beside Kaichen by the fire. If he was not mistaken, Kaichen’s nostrils flared much like a young stallion scenting a mare. Azin had hoped to see Kaichen’s interest captured by one of the young women of his band. He had hoped to solidify Kaichen’s place amongst his people even though he knew that Kaichen would still feel honor bound to leave.
“We seek your counsel, wise one.” Kaichen waited patiently, confident that Azin would have a solution for the young woman.
They both understood that he would journey to his mother’s people with the rising of the sun. Azin looked upon the lovely young woman and he was reminded of another couple that had sought his counsel, long ago.
Shale and Denoa had come to him seeking shelter and advice and he had been able to help them. He would do the same for Kaichen now.
“Tell me, what is your name?” Azin spoke in the language of the young woman.
He knew from Kaichen’s story that she did not understand their tongue. The young woman lifted her head and he was startled by the sight of her eyes but his expression did not change.
“I am called Amara, but my name is Amaranth.” The young woman met his gaze without flinching and he felt confident in his decision.
Amara’s eyes were wide as she took in the features of the two men sitting nearby. They had not harmed her and they had taken her to their village just as they promised.
She still trembled inside when she thought of her mother and the rest of her village. What had become of those that she loved? The man called Kaichen shifted almost imperceptibly and Amara struggled to keep her eyes straight ahead.
She was drawn to the warrior kneeling at her side, almost as if an invisible thread tied them together, pulling them toward one another. Amara’s feelings were jumbled up inside her chest, bringing pressure to bear, making it difficult to breath.
She recognized kindness in the wise elder’s eyes as he looked upon her. His eyes roamed over the men and then returned to rest upon Amara’s upturned face.
A sound of alarm came from the entrance to their small village. All eyes turned to Azin as all around them commotion broke out.
“What has happened?” One of the men shouted for Azin to come.
Amara saw Kaichen brace the older man’s elbow, allowing him to stand quickly before releasing his hold. She shivered when his dark eyes fell upon her. His look was possessive and she was surprised to find comfort as a silent understanding was reached between them. He would protect her with his life. She accepted his protection.
It was ephemeral and unspoken but a promise all the same.
“Remain with Antuk.” Kaichen raspy voice drew Amara’s attention.
Amara nodded as Kaichen ran forward to join the shouting villagers. She turned slowly and would have fallen backwards if not for Antuk’s large bulk. He braced her with a light touch upon her arm and when she gasped he pushed her behind him. The sight confronting them was more terrible than she could have ever imagined. Standing with his legs spread and a malevolent sneer upon his face was the man that had ta
ken an arrow to his eye. He spoke in a voice that made a mockery of their language but Amara could not know this. All she knew was that all eyes turned toward her.
“A woman was taken from me and I demand her return.”
“You left one of the men alive?” Azin’s displeasure was made known by the angry tone of his voice.
Kaichen rarely saw Azin’s anger, but when it was upon him he was transformed into a great force of nature.
“I left two men alive. You did not give me a chance to explain all to you.” Kaichen kept the frustration from his voice as he considered the man before him.
Why would an enemy come to their village armed only with the spear of his fallen companions and request the return of one small woman? His desire to protect Amara doubled and grew until he thought that he would explode with fury. The woman had lost her mother, her village and her entire way of life. Yet, this man who had been cast out from his own band was bold enough to walk into their village and demand her return.
“What is your claim to the woman?” Azin did not offer a greeting to the armed raider nor did he look away from the man that challenged them with his boldness.
“She is mine and I demand her return!” The man stepped forward and each man that encircled him raised their spears against him.
Azin breathed deeply, seeking calm. What type of man did not fear the sharpened spears of two hands of men? He looked into the raiders cold eyes and he saw at first glance that the man had lost his footing long before now. There was nothing good or kind left within him.
“The woman has been claimed by another.” Azin spoke slowly, buying time.
It was true that they could simply slay the man where he stood, but there were visitors within their village, people that would go their way and spread stories of what happened on this day.
“Then I will fight this man that has taken the woman from us.” The man’s words solidified that which Azin already knew.
There were more displaced men that had banded together to form a band of raiders. They would seek vengeance for their fallen companions.
Azin did not glance at Kaichen, but the man stood ready to defend Amara. Only his respect for Azin, as the leader of their village, held Kaichen back.
With the words that he spoke next, Azin knew that their lives would be forever changed.
“It will be just as you have said. Prepare for battle!”
Kaichen spared a glance for the circle of men around him. They nodded their heads respectfully, but there was uncertainty amongst many.
He had saved a woman from a fate worse than death, but was it his place to do so? He had already placed their village in danger by unknowingly leading the raider to their village. The man watched him in the way that a predator watches prey. His right eye was uninjured, but the left eye was a mass of blood and puss.
It was obvious to Kaichen that the man should have already succumbed to his injuries. Although he did not understand the force that drove the man confronting him, he focused solely upon his opponent. He had no doubt that he faced a fight that would not end until one of them gave up their life to the other.
“I am Aka’ih. You should know the name of the one that takes your life this day.” The raider spit upon the ground, openly showing disdain for the villagers watched him.
At first glance, it appeared that Kaichen was at a disadvantage, despite the other man’s serious injury. His opponent was tall and muscular and his movements were controlled and confident. Kaichen’s visual search of the man’s body proved futile as he looked for any sign of weakness other than the damage done to his eye.
Azin said nothing more than the warning that he had already given Kaichen. “Remember the warrior’s way.”
With a cry of vengeance the man ran forward raising his spear to strike.
Kaichen used his short spear far differently from his opponent. He rolled at the last minute, dodging a quelling blow and hit the raider in the back with his full force behind the swing of his spear.
The man’s mouth was still open in a cry of pain as Kaichen whirled and struck again, hitting the man behind the knees. Fury drove his opponent to let loose a bellow that rivaled a cry of war. The man spun as he tracked Kaichen’s movements with his good eye.
His face was a mask of hatred and still he ran forward, eager to slay Kaichen. This time the man was ready when Kaichen moved to dodge the thrust of his spear and he compensated landing a glancing blow to Kaichen’s shoulder. Kaichen never lost stride as he hit the man with three successive strikes to his midsection. Each blow caused the man to stumble back and when Kaichen went in for the kill the man deflected the blow. Aka’ih gnashed his teeth and shouted in a guttural tongue as he once again faced his opponent.
Kaichen refused to respond. He was not certain that he could win the battle, but he knew that Azin would be forced to hand Amara over to the raider if he lost. Honor demanded that Azin satisfy the terms of their dispute. If Azin failed to hand Amara over, those of their village would never trust him again.
Kaichen knew that Azin had done what he thought was best. By telling him to remember the warrior’s way he had also given Kaichen silent instructions. Kaichen would fight for his life or die fighting. When his opponent charged with savage thrust of his spear, Kaichen was ready. Kaichen reared away from the spear thrust, but he kept his footing. The raider lunged past him and Kaichen thrust his short spear up and into the man’s side, he ended the man’s life with a brutal twist of his spear.
“Do not bury this man. Burn his body far away from our village entrance.” Azin’s words were for the men that rushed forward to offer their assistance. His wise eyes never left Kaichen’s face. What he saw before him was a man that fought to protect what he had claimed as his own.
Amara walked forward with Antuk at her side. She had been unable to catch her breath as she watched Kaichen battle for his life. Though he had saved her once before, she had never seen anyone move as Kaichen moved while in battle. What was more, he had kept his unspoken promise at the risk of his own life. She could think of no other way to show her regard and so she walked forward and gently clasped his hand.
Azin turned to the pair that had eyes only for each other. The communicated much without speaking, reminding him of his youth and love that he had once known with his young wife. He knew that Kaichen would not appreciate his interference, but there was no time to delay. Decisions had to be made quickly or soon all would be lost. Azin spoke in a loud voice as he addressed the crowd of villagers.
“Kaichen has brought a woman to join his hearth circle and make it complete. He does not offer a gift to the woman’s family, but he has already shown that he is willing to protect her with his life. We welcome you, Amara, as the wife of Kaichen.” Azin smiled broadly as Kaichen rocked back on his heels and Amara gasped tightening her hold upon Kaichen’s hand.
Kaichen gently deposited Amara upon his sleeping place. She was exhausted beyond measure and the events of the evening had only caused her more anxiety.
He tried to ignore the thrush of desire that swept over him as his body responded to the swell of her breast and the curve of her body as she sought warmth. When he placed her upon the furs that were already set in place she woke slowly and then stiffened within his embrace.
She feared that he would take her as a man takes a woman. Kaichen wanted nothing more than to seek her woman’s warmth, but he hoped to win her heart first.
“Rest. Let tomorrow take care of itself. You are safe.” Kaichen’s words were soothing but his heartbeat skittered against his chest so hard that he was surprised she did not feel it.
When Azin asked him if the woman appealed to him Kaichen had thought nothing of it. He would not be a man if he had not recognized her feminine allure.
Even Antuk appeared captivated by the woman’s delicate features and small size though he showed nothing more than a mild fascination. When Azin asked Kaichen about Amara’s family and village he had not considered that the older man was alread
y planning his future.
If he had bristled angrily when Azin mentioned that the young men of his village would be willing to take the woman as a mate based upon her looks alone, then he was not certain what reaction Azin expected.
Kaichen thought that Amara was like an exquisite creature of old. When he looked at her he saw the first woman born of creation and he saw a path to his future. How was it that Azin had spied out the inner workings of his spirit? What had he said or done to make the man think that he wanted Amara as his wife?
“Is it true? Did the leader of your village join us as husband and wife?” Amara’s whispered words were full of trepidation.
“This is not my village, but yes, it is true.” Kaichen’s words were unnecessary, Amara had fallen asleep, lulled into slumber by her exhaustion as the villagers celebrated their joining.
She shifted, blinking her eyes open and she immediately sensed her husband’s presence by her side. Her husband.
She tried to find some sense of outrage over her current circumstances but she was simply numb. Anger and fear had been her constant companions when she was taken captive while her village was decimated. When she voiced her concerns Azin had simply told her that what was done could not be undone. Kaichen had remained silent.
Amara considered what she knew of the man that had taken her as a wife. The heat from his body was soothing, calling to her and as if he knew that she was awake, he shifted so that she was cradled more comfortably within his embrace. Kaichen’s manner was far different from anyone that she had ever known but he had not caused her any harm.
Even now she could feel the coiled strength within him, but he did not allow it free reign. He had simply set her upon his sleeping place and urged her to rest.
“The warrior that you injured will never stop looking for me. He will never cease unless death stops him first. You have brought danger to your village by rescuing me. I am a curse to you.” Amara’s words were slurred but her concern for those that welcomed her and celebrated her joining with the strong man at her side caused her to speak.
The Last Sundancer Page 6