Kaichen did not say that he would have pulled Tamol aside if there had only been more time. He had acted without consideration for Tamol and Farren as well as the hunters that followed both men. He saw that he now had the full attention of the men gathered around him.
“Tamol does not know all that our people have suffered at the hands of men that raid and pillage.” Kaichen caught his breath and stared into the distance only to turn dark eyes upon the men that were sons and fathers of his band. “Because of my error, today Tamol, Farren and the men that follow them will die.”
There were gasps of surprise over his blunt words, but there were also silent nods of agreement.
“The men that raiders will come upon them like a sudden storm, they will kill and maim any that stand against them. They will take the meat that has been butchered to feed brave hunters, women and children.” Kaichen let his words sink into the hearts and minds of his mother’s people. His people.
He had claimed his people once and for all by denying Tamol’s request that he join with his band and receive what was left of his birthright.
The men grunted and nodded in full understanding. Kaichen had not told them anything new or unexpected. He straightened his spine and stood before them. They were hard men, unrelenting in their stand as they agreed amongst themselves over the fate of the other hunters.
“Once the raiders are finished with their dark deeds, they will turn to our people and the village of our birth. You can be certain that they will succeed in overtaking that which you claim as your own.” Kaichen’s words landed like a well-aimed blow.
“No. They will not do as you have said.” Urri was the first to refute Kaichen’s words. “They have never been able to take everything that we have.”
“Yes, this is so, but before now you were able to hide your women and children in the caverns that are hidden from all. You were able to keep the majority of your food safe from the raiders. This time, you will not be as fortunate as you have been in the past.” Kaichen pointed to their footsteps which only confirmed his words in the hearts of the men present.
Amara glanced down and she saw what caused the others to groan with dread. Their footsteps led away from Tamol and Farren. If they continued onward they would lead the raiders directly to their village.
“Your enemy knows how much meat you have butchered and carried upon your backs. They will take their time, eating what the others would have kept for themselves. They will come to find you and they will take what you are not willing to give.” Kaichen’s words were hard and unyielding. He painted a vivid picture of the destruction that would befall their people.
Each man standing before him knew that his words were true. They did not have enough warriors to fight against so many raiders. With Tamol and Farren’s men on their side they would have stood a fair chance. Without them they were outmatched and outnumbered. Defeated.
“Perhaps we should take our chances.” One of the men spoke rashly, earning glares from the others.
“Chance is fickle while true loyalty lasts forever.” Antuk’s words would have caused others to pay attention if he had not overshadowed his wisdom by blowing sand from his cupped hands.
“You must each do just as you have decided in your hearts. As for me, I will go and fight with Tamol, Farren and their men. They are here because we called them to help us seek the buffalo herd. I will not turn away from them now.” Kaichen clasped Amara’s shoulders and considered how he could best protect her. He would need to take Antuk with him.
“There is a concealed place, hidden within the rocks nearby. I will remain there until you return.” Amara did not know where her brave words came from.
She only knew that Kaichen was desperate to save his people, their people. Thoughts of the fate that awaited the women, old ones and children of Tamol and Farren’s band if their warriors did not return plagued Amara. Kaichen’s people would lose everything, including their lives, if they did not join together and stop the raiders from attacking their village.
Kaichen silently handed Amara his waterskin. She knew that he would need water in order to make the return journey, but she faced days upon the desert sands without water. When he pressed the waterskin into her hand she did not resist. Kaichen pressed his mouth against her ear and he promised on his life that he would return for her. In that moment, the bond that had grown between them strengthened and swelled.
“Cloud Bringing Woman, Amara, remember who you are.” Kaichen’s words were tinged with sadness and she knew that he saw her as a survivor in a land that was often harsh and intolerant of weakness. He stared into her eyes for a moment and then turned to gather his weapons from Antuk’s outstretched hands.
Antuk patted Amara’s head as if comforting a small child, before he turned to follow Kaichen. Amara looked down to see that Antuk had carefully placed one of his many knives into the folds of her parka.
She would not be left completely defenseless. The rest of the men stood undecided with their eyes moving wildly about.
“Cloud Bringing Woman, you will stand by Kaichen while he goes to fight a battle that is not his?” One of the younger hunters studied Amara earnestly as if her response would sway him one way or the other.
Amara did not look away. “Yes, I will stand with Kaichen and anyone that fights with him.”
The men murmured amongst themselves. Several gathered around a place that was concealed from the sun and began to dig.
Amara did not understand at first what possessed them to break the ground with hands and spears until they had a hole large enough to suit them.
As the men began to place their hunting bundles into the hole one by one, Amara nodded. It was just as it should be. They sought to secure the spoils of their hunt until they could return.
One of the men urged Amara to conceal herself within the rocks. She alone knew the place where their hunting packs were buried.
The area was no longer disturbed and it was as if they had never stopped to rest at all. She watched as the youngest hunter wiped away her footsteps until they were no more. No one would ever know that she hid amongst the large rocks and boulders. The thought was both comforting and fear inspiring.
Loneliness surrounded her on all sides and she breathed deeply, seeking comfort. Kaichen would return for her. He simply had to return because the alternative was too terrible to imagine. Amara focused all of her hope upon the one man that she trusted with all of her heart. She willed her strength into Kaichen’s tired limbs as she spoke words of blessing into the world.
“Let it be so.”
“Behind you.” Antuk’s words caused Kaichen to turn and stare. He never knew what to expect with Antuk. It was possible that he would face an enraged animal or a knife wielding man. Kaichen’s eyes widened when he caught sight of the men that hurried toward them. The hunters of his mother’s band moved without sound and they did not wait for Kaichen to acknowledge them. Kaichen did not have to look up to see that the sun was close to its resting place. The light was fading far too quickly; they would never reach the others in time to stave off the first wave of attackers.
He remembered his mother’s words, tinged with fear. “They attack during the darkest part of the night, when the moon is a round orb in the sky.”
Tamol and Farren were careful of their surroundings but they would not expect an attack. Even if they caught sight of the dust cloud there was little hope that they would understand its origin. Kaichen ran with a sense of renewed urgency.
The fate of his people hung in the balance. If Tamol and Farren were overcome by the raiders then all was lost.
“Pace yourself.” Antuk called out when Kaichen’s footsteps came too quickly and his breath caught in his lungs.
Kaichen forced himself to heed his friend who was ever watchful and resourceful. He tried not to think of Amara. She had looked fragile beyond measure as he left her behind, possibly for the last time. Loneliness and uncertainty had been present in her wide eyes as they peered u
p at him trustingly. He could not fail her.
He should have made certain that Amara knew the way back to his mother’s people. He should have made sure that she had enough food to last for several days.
His reasons for remaining silent were almost too dire to contemplate. If he failed to return, Amara would be at the mercy of the relentless land and the marauding raiders. If she started off on her own, there was little chance that she would ever make it safely to their village. If she stayed where she was and he did not return for her, she would die of thirst, starvation or worse.
Kaichen refused to dwell on such dark thoughts. Amara was a survivor. He would return for her and she would survive.
Kaichen remembered that his mother thought some men were especially blessed. He had scoffed over her words at the time, though his face had remained expressionless. As he raced toward a fight that held an uncertain outcome, he could only hope that her words would prove true.
If by some chance he walked with a blessing upon his shoulders, then he hoped that he would be allowed to return to Amara and see to her safety. She deserved more than he could ever give her, but she was joined to him now just as surely as he breathed.
Kaichen motioned for Urri to take the lead. It was too dark to follow their trail the way that he had done until now. Urri’s hurried footsteps told him what the hunter’s silence did not. They had much farther to travel and there was very little hope that they would arrive in time to do little more than witness a massacre.
Tamol watched as Farren and the others celebrated the success of their hunt. His heart was like a stone in his chest though the others did not seem to notice. Farren through him a questioning glance, only to turn aside when Tamol narrowed his eyes.
Denoa’s words of comfort over the death of his wife, remained with him even now. However, after the short exchange of words she had refused to meet his eyes.
“She was never yours.” Tamol murmured as he stared into the fire.
The men built up a large blaze, to stave off the chill of the night. They decided to return to their band’s resting place tomorrow, leaving before the sun lit the sky. Tonight, they celebrated their success.
Loud chanting captured Tamol’s attention and he narrowed his eyes as the glare from the fire clouded his vision. He knew better than to stare into the fire, no matter if he was surrounded by men of strength and might.
There was always a reason to remain cautious. Tamol did not think that Kaichen would return to seek vengeance for the dishonor done to him. After all, Tamol had seen the remorse in Kaichen’s eyes even as he realized his mistake. He did not need Farren to tell him that he should have pulled back his hand before he dealt a killing blow to their newly formed relationship. He did not need Farren to remind him that Pele was with him, watching the actions of his father.
Kaichen did not trust his judgment and yet, what did they expect?
“Has old age come upon us that we would expect the young man to come to us and stand proudly as his father’s son?” Farren’s words drew Tamol’s attention.
Tamol felt every season of his age. He and Farren had outlived many of the men that they had once known. Shale should have been at their side, even now.
Tamol and Farren watched without speaking as the men of their band danced around the fire, telling the story of their hunt. They ate with gluttony and smiles upon their faces. They spoke as brothers with pride riding upon their shoulders over their success.
Denoa would be ashamed of them, if she saw them. Her winsome smile would turn down and her proud chin would lift as she regarded them with disdain.
“Come, join us in merrymaking. Our women will grow fat from the spoils of this hunt.” The men laughed boisterously as they continued their celebration without their leaders. They were used to Tamol’s brooding silence and his dark scowls. They were used to Farren’s owlish gaze which saw everything and remembered all.
As he watched Pele dance before the other men he wondered if he had ever been so young. Pele boasted of his bravery when facing down the buffalo herd and Tamol wondered if he had ever been as fearless as his son? Tamol did not think so. Yet he was a fair man, not given to violence unless it was required.
Farren had learned to show strength over time and his wisdom was without measure. How often had Tamol turned to his friend for help when he could not find a solution to a concern of his band? Too many times to number.
Without warning an arrow flew close to Tamol’s head and he twisted just as he the cutting slice as it tore past his ear. Blood flowed freely from the wound as Tamol rolled instinctively and stood ready to face the threat that came from the pervading darkness.
“Attack!” One of his men screamed just as an arrow lodged in his throat, choking off the warning that he hoped to relay.
Tamol groaned, not from the injury done to him, but because they were highlighted by fire and easy targets. He looked at Farren, as time slowed and they both saw their own death mirrored in each other’s eyes. Farren lifted his chin and turned his bow toward the threat. Tamol silently did the same.
As arrows flew through the dark night, Tamol realized that their enemy was the worst sort of foe. What type of men did not even show themselves before they began the slaughter of others? Tamol did not have an answer and there was no time to think as another of his men fell under the barrage of arrows that flew through the night.
Kaichen’s steps never faltered as he launched himself into the fray. The sight of men falling under the assault of arrows and spears shook him to his core. The screams of wounded men pierced the air and Kaichen forced his body to heed his commands. Antuk was at his side and he could sense his friend’s steady presence.
Kaichen ducked as a spear was thrust with force into the place where his face had been. He moved with an easy grace, long practiced under the tutelage of Azin. His sole thought was to destroy those that challenged them, offering death or capture should they succeed.
Even though Kaichen knew that Tamol and Farren might reject his help, he fought for them and the men that they led. He quickly dispatched two men, though he noticed that their faces were painted and their ears pierced.
A man with a pierced nose stood before him, looming in threat. Kaichen never stopped moving, even as the man shouted his battle cry. Kaichen was too close to make use of his bow and quiver of arrows.
He spun on his heel, ducking the massive blow of the man’s war club as he forced his body to turn faster than thought. His open palm connected with the man’s nose. Bone and blood smeared his palm, but Kaichen barely noticed. His hunter’s knife was in his hand and though it went against the purpose of the weapon, he used it to defend himself.
Azin had shared the weak places on the body with Kaichen. He understood a man’s weaknesses and he knew how to exploit them in battle.
Azin’s voice was in his head as he stabbed first at the upper chest of his opponent, feeling the carefully honed blade sink to the hilt. His opponent’s arm was suddenly numb and swung uselessly at his side.
Kaichen then aimed for the hollow between the raider’s jaw and neck. The man did not accept death easily, but the rage that flowed through Kaichen gave him strength.
He could hear Azin telling him to let go of anger and pride, find the warrior’s way and keep hold of it. Azin warned him to seek his center while in battle with a worthy opponent. Kaichen had practiced doing just so, but it had never mattered more than it did now.
He saw Tamol fall and he roared in fury. Antuk guarded his back as he made his way toward the two men.
“Guard them.” Kaichen’s voice was a dry rasp as Antuk immediately stood in front of Tamol and Farren with his spear held high.
There was no time to see the surprise that registered upon Tamol and Farren’s faces. Kaichen instantly began to fight beside Antuk, fighting with all that he had. As if someone had called a halt with a loud cry the fighting began to slow and die down. It was obvious now that they had surprised the raiders.
“They r
un from us, now that we have outnumbered their band.” Tamol was the first to speak, though he clenched his teeth in pain as he bent over his injured leg.
“We have learned of a weakness possessed by our enemy.” Kaichen turned to Tamol and Farren as he included them in the sweep of his hand. He wiped the blood from his hunting knife upon the body of one of the fallen raiders. “The raiders will never fight fairly and they flee from a show of strength.”
Amara waited in silence as she listened intently to the sounds around her. The last of her water had come and gone without the sound of Kaichen’s voice. She told herself that he was delayed because of their need to make certain that the raiders did not pursue them. Kaichen would return for her. He must.
When the sound that had first captured her attention came again, Amara tensed in fear. Kaichen would have called out and let her know that he had returned for her. But the sound that she heard was furtive and light. It reminded her of the small river that had flowed beside the village of her birth. Water.
Amara had been afraid to move from her hiding place before now but the enigmatic pull of thirst gave her courage. She noticed that the dark sky was heavy with clouds. But she did not see any sign of rainfall. The clouds appeared to be moving fast toward her but it was difficult to see in the darkness, without the light of the moon.
The sound that had caused her to come out of hiding came again. She knew the fast moving sound of water when she heard it.
Icy tendrils of fear coursed up and down her spine. There should not be any water nearby. If there had been even a still pool the hunters that Kaichen traveled with would have pointed it out.
The Last Sundancer Page 23