The Last Sundancer

by Quinney, Karah

  “The sky people watch over the world to see that balance is kept by all. But there are some men that do not heed the admonition to walk with humility. Some would prefer to gain all that they can and leave nothing for the rest. The sky people look on silently and the thunder clouds come. The harvest is ruined by floods and the swell of insects that eat the green leaves needed by the harvesters. Anger blooms in the hearts of men and battles are fought. Those that know the wrath of the sky people never forget. Their hearts either become weighed down with sorrow or full of anger. If sorrow is what they feel then they stand a chance of righting the wrong and restoring balance. If anger guards their hearts, soon coldness finds their souls and darkness crowds out the light.”

  Kaichen grew silent for a time and Amara thought that his story had come to an end. Amara remained silent as Kaichen blinked a few times and then turned his gaze upon her.

  She sucked in her breath at what she saw there, the last dregs of power shimmered within his gaze. His eyes were so dark and thickly framed by lashes that Amara could barely make out the whites of his eyes.

  “The sky people do not wish us harm. The luminaries are there to remind us that we are never alone. It is said that in each generation one person is chosen to receive a rich reward given freely as a gift to our world from theirs. They ask for one thing and one thing only.” Kaichen’s face was a mask that appeared unreadable and then his eyes closed as he returned to the world of dreams where stories lived. “The one that requests a blessing from the heavens must first pay tribute.”

  “What type of tribute?” Antuk’s voice brought Kaichen’s eyes open and Amara’s gaze clashed with his.

  Without turning to face Antuk he considered his question. Kaichen stared into Amara’s upturned face, its delicate lines were beautifully highlighted by the soft glow of the fire’s light.

  “The legend does not say. Only the seeker knows if his request is fulfilled. Only the seeker knows if his gift of tribute is accepted.” Kaichen inclined his head to acknowledge the end of his story. Amara chewed upon her upper and lower lip as she gave his words careful thought.

  “How many times did you hear that story before you were able to remember it fully?” Amara felt that she was close to understanding Kaichen better. She held her breath as she waited for his answer. His silence told her that he considered keeping his response to himself and then he did something that stole her heart completely. He gave her his trust by speaking the truth for her ears alone.

  “Only once.” Kaichen allowed the dream world that the story had created to fade away.

  He stifled the feeling of remembered grief as he blinked the world into focus. Siada was no longer with him. They were no longer two boys lying on their bellies high upon the canyon walls as they listened to the voice of their mother.

  He looked into Amara’s wide eyes and he saw innocence and the lack of harsh judgment. He also saw a question lingering in the light that caused her eyes to shimmer. She lowered her head, unwilling to allow him to see more. Kaichen hid a smile. Amara was the first person to pull a story from him with such ease. She had only to tilt her head in inquiry and the words spilled from his lips.

  “Thank you for sharing the story. It is not one that I will ever forget.” Amara’s voice was certain and Kaichen nodded in understanding.

  “It is good.” Antuk announced as Amara smiled shyly and Kaichen nodded. He was right. It was very good indeed.

  Leading Tamol and Antuk, Kaichen pulled the memory of that night with Amara to him. He could almost see her wide eyes as she looked at him. He forced his mind to remember Amara and all that he felt for her so that strength would continue to flow into his body, pushing him onward.

  Tamol did not look well. Kaichen had a feeling that Tamol’s wounded thigh was causing the man considerable pain. Antuk stumbled a few times, as he followed along but when Kaichen glanced at his friend he saw only the familiar smile that Antuk often wore.

  “Tell me of Ni’zin and Tonaka.” Kaichen’s voice was a continuous rasp, almost indistinguishable and he began to worry that his thirst would never be quenched. There was no water to be found in the canyon, nor was it expected.

  “What do I know of those men?” Tamol scowled, unwilling to say more.

  “They are the brothers of the man that was once your closest friend.” Kaichen’s anger blazed as Tamol stared at him without speaking. “I wish to know more about my father’s family. Tell me what you know of them.”

  Tamol was silent for a moment as he checked the hooves of his horse. He walked around the animal and came to rest in front of Kaichen.

  “Ni’zin is the youngest of the three sons, Tonaka was born second. Your father was the firstborn son.” Tamol eyed Antuk and his scowl deepened. “Does he ever stop smiling?”

  Kaichen looked at Antuk and he knew that at any other time he would have given in to laughter. His friend’s sincere smile often turned into a sneer when he looked upon Tamol. Even now Antuk’s usually amicable face was a mask of displeasure as he bared his teeth at the man. “Continue.”

  “Ni’zin was a boy when your grandfather rose to power. Your father had become a hunter by then, he was a man of his village and unmatched in talent. But that was not enough for your grandfather, he wanted a leader for his warriors. Ni’zin was never considered for the honored position of leadership. He was too young and often frail. Your father and Tonaka were well matched although your father was the favored son, having a close resemblance to your grandfather.” Tamol picked up the pace of his footsteps to match those of Kaichen but the young man stopped walking briefly to stare at him.

  “Am I the image of my father?” Kaichen did not know how he was certain of such a thing, but he was. His mother had often told them how much he and Siada both resembled their father.

  “The very same.” Tamol did not speak for a moment as he was drawn back into the past. It was like speaking directly with Shale. “While Tonaka and Ni’zin resemble your father in appearance, they are nothing like he was in the flesh. Ni’zin and Tonaka were always hiding in the shadows, seeking opportunities to exploit a perceived weakness. Your grandfather and his men found a supply of water with only one small band of people to prevent them from taking all that they would ever require.” Tamol did not need to say that it had been his band that stood in the way of the invading band’s use of the water source.

  “Your mother’s people, my people, were not warriors, they did not possess a weapon amongst them except for hunting. Your grandfather forced his slaves to build a dam that would block the flow of water that released into a small river used by our village. Without water, they would perish. Your grandfather’s warriors went on raids, taking captives of the men, women and children. Many died.” Tamol stopped walking as Kaichen looked ahead of them and chose a place that would lead them to the canyon floor.

  Tamol saw that Kaichen had chosen the safest area to make their descent. In truth, Tamol could not have made a better choice himself. He felt a stirring of pride in his chest as he considered the capable young man. Any father would be proud to claim Kaichen as his son.

  “I know the rest of the story.” Kaichen felt close to understanding all that had been hidden from him until now. “Tell me why Ni’zin and Tonaka hate my mother and our people so much.”

  “Their hatred was fed by your grandfather’s quest for power and the dark gods that he served. I think that your grandfather lost his soul long before he died.” Tamol’s mouth pressed into a thin line of distaste as he followed behind Kaichen. “Your grandfather had three wives. Each one was more cowed than the last. He chose women amongst the slaves that he took for himself, he gave them the place as his wife and expected others to worship them. The last wife outlived the others and some say that she took the lives of the first two. Who can say? She was from a foreign land and her beliefs were as different from ours as night is from day.”

  “My grandfather honored this woman?” Kaichen thrust the spear that Tamol had given him into the gro
und, cutting the tail from a scorpion that was poised to strike. Tamol’s head jerked in answer to Kaichen’s question, even as he grimaced in pain.

  Antuk nodded his thanks as he set his foot into the place that the scorpion had been. Kaichen pointed out the scorpion holes that dotted the ground even as Tamol nervously eyed his horse. The animal had little hope of surviving the journey, but his chances were no better or worse than theirs.

  Tamol was silent for a time as they traversed the rocky ground, moving carefully over the land. Each man knew that they could not risk an injury while traveling through unknown territory.

  “Was one of these women the mother of my father and his brothers?” Kaichen voice was a deep hiss of sound as he moved ever forward.

  “No. The woman that gave birth to your father and his brothers died before your grandfather became a powerful leader. She gave him three sons and breathed her last at the birth of Ni’zin. Your father and Tonaka were old enough to remember their mother, but Ni’zin had no memory of the woman that gave him life. Your grandfather’s last wife had been the mate of a revered leader, who died at the hands of his enemies. The woman was taken captive, but her value was quickly noted and she was traded from hand to hand until your grandfather stumbled upon her. He called her his pathway to the gods. She was said to hold a connection to the gods that rule the sun, moon and stars. She taught your grandfather a new way to strengthen his power over the people and he listened.”

  “She spoke of chants and dances, sacrifices and invocations all done in worship to the sun. She also shared with your grandfather the building of a great temple. It lies in ruins now, buried under rubble, never to rise again.” Tamol fell silent as Kaichen held up his hand.

  In the distance thunder rumbled.

  “We have to move. Now.” Kaichen led them over what appeared to be a broad, rock-strewn creek bed which had gone dry long ago.

  Tamol and Antuk raced after Kaichen as he led them to higher ground. They walked through a deep crevice nestled into the canyon floor. It was the only way to cross the distance and reach the opposite canyon wall. The horse shied and pawed the air as Tamol pulled him forward.

  “Leave him.” Kaichen spoke urgently, but he did not stop to see if Tamol obeyed and he did not look back.

  Tamol eyed the horse and saw that the animal was terrified. Lightening shot across the sky searing the heavens with color and the whites of the animal’s eyes could be seen as Tamol reluctantly turned him loose.

  It had been wishful thinking to bring the horse this far, after all. He had known from the beginning that the animal might prove to be his downfall but he was not a man to simply give in to defeat. As he kept up with Kaichen’s punishing pace he realized that the same could be said of the son of Shale.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Amara kept her eyes closed, but in her mind’s eye she drew the clouds to her. The air became thick with the invisible weight that was present right before a storm. Amara remembered Kaichen’s story about the sky people and she knew in that moment that she had played a song worthy of being counted as tribute. All she asked for was her life in return.

  Kaichen’s face came to her in dreams and wishful thoughts and she marveled over the rich beauty of his features. If she opened her eyes she would lose sight of him and so Amara kept her eyes closed.

  She called forth a song of strength and love, wisdom and sorrow and she created a world where dreams became reality. If the sky people looked on she hoped that they counted her amongst the few souls that were especially blessed.

  Amara wanted to live to see Kaichen again, more than she had ever wanted anything before now.

  Tear drops fell upon her cheeks and Amara instinctively opened her eyes. She had not meant to let the tears fall. She tilted her head back even as she felt the melody of her song winding around her, lifting her up and filling her soul. Water continued to fall in rivulets down her face. It was only when her song ended that Amara recognized the moisture for what it was. .

  “Rain!” Amara’s voice was a strained croak that was barely recognizable. She opened her mouth and took in the life-giving water that fell from the heavens. “Rain!”

  The water fell fast and heavy as the sun’s light was blotted out. Dark clouds swept in upon the land and the wind picked up as it swirled around her. She held on to the small ledge where she had perched for three long days. There was hope.

  If she could survive the storm and wait it out, then help might come. She was willing to wait until right before darkness fell before she attempted to save herself.

  There was only one way down from the ledge where she waited, hoping for rescue. Either the water would swell up high as it had once before and Amara could let it wash her away and hope to escape the eddying swirl of the river or she could jump.

  There was not an option that offered much promise of survival, but Amara refused to think about it any further. She would do what was practical while she still had the strength left to try.

  She worked her legs and arms until blood returned to her tired limbs. She would wait a little long for Kaichen to return. If he did not return soon, she would try her best to save her own life. Nothing more, nothing less.

  “What have you done to Cloud Bringing Woman?” Antuk spoke roughly as he glared at Tamol. Kaichen’s eyes flashed as he stared at the man.

  “I told you the truth. We searched for Amara, but she was nowhere to be found. A flood came during a great wind storm and washed away her tracks. I searched but could not find her.”

  “What is it that you are not saying, Tamol?” Kaichen’s voice was deadly as he glanced back at the man.

  “I sensed that she was nearby, but again, I caught no sight of her before the raiders were upon us.” Tamol grimaced as he pressed his hands to his thigh.

  “I will need to look at your wound when we are clear of the canyon. Keep your hands pressed against it to prevent the wound from opening as we climb. We cannot linger here.” Kaichen eyed Tamol suspiciously and then turned his attention back to the task at hand.

  They needed to climb fast and at a steady pace in order to make it out of the canyon before the rain fell from the sky.

  The men remained silent as they put all of their effort into climbing the steep walls of the canyon. Soon it was necessary to hold on to the rock and search for handholds and footholds as they moved ever upward.

  If the heavens opened now they would find themselves trapped with no way to move upward and only death by drowning waiting below.

  “Whatever you have done, you must undo. Cloud Bringing Woman has grown angry.” Antuk’s voice was a dire warning directed at Tamol, but the older man simply shook his head in frustration and pain.

  His upper thigh burned with every step that he took. Instead of slowing down, Kaichen forced them to increase their pace drastically.

  Looking back over his shoulder Tamol caught his breath and held it. The sky had darkened to the color of night, though it was only past midday, angry clouds raced toward them and the heavens rumbled in anger.

  If he were not a man that was skeptical by nature he would believe that Cloud Bringing Woman had indeed grown angry. Lightning lit the sky on fire even as thunder crashed above them with a loud clamor that each man felt in his bones.

  Kaichen was relentless as he plunged forward, when the others fell behind he urged them to keep up with him. Soon the rains would come.

  Soon the rocks that gave them handholds would become slick to the touch and then they would be trapped. Such a fate was impossible to contemplate.

  With every footstep that Kaichen took he knew that time was running out for Amara, wherever she was. She needed him and for her, he needed to survive.

  “We’ll never make it.” Tamol was the first to see the dilemma of their position upon the canyon walls.

  A sheer rock face protruded out, sitting upon nothing, preventing their access to a ridge that would lead to the top of the canyon. Kaichen studied the rock as if willing it to show him
some hidden pathway.

  Even the most skilled climber could fall to his death if he attempted to scale the rock wall. There were not any easily identifiable notches or indentations were a man’s thumb and finger could find traction. However, Kaichen had the upper body strength of the men of his shared blood.

  They were both able climbers and Antuk was similarly equipped. Kaichen placed his foot so that he was standing between the canyon wall and the cliff face with nothing beneath him except the open air.

  “You will kill yourself!” Tamol shouted over the rising sound of the storm. The steady patter of raindrops gave credence to his words of warning.

  Tamol and Antuk watched silently as Kaichen tied a rock around the rope that was coiled over his shoulder. He threw the rock up and over the rock wall that stood between them and their chance of escape. Already the rock was becoming wet and slick, soon it would be death to seek another handhold.

  “Be silent.” Antuk warned as Tamol started to speak.

  Antuk’s fingers moved in a rhythm known to all men and women of the land. He weaved a basket made of blades of grass that he had collected as they climbed.

  Tamol’s mouth was wide open as he tried to catch his breath. Looking up through the first drops of rain he caught sight of Kaichen’s face.

  It was a study of concentration and determination, but what was more, it held the same conviction that he had once seen upon Shale’s face. Kaichen was the image of Shale as he stood between the two unmovable rock walls and threw the rope overhead.

  With a mighty leap he caught the other end of the rope and used the momentum of his body to swing out over the formerly impassable rock wall and around to the other side. Antuk never looked away from Kaichen as his friend disappeared around the other side of the rock face.

  Tamol expected to see Kaichen fall to his death at any moment. Even the skilled young men that proudly proclaimed themselves warriors would not have attempted such a feat.