by Marius Thue
“She'll burn for this,” Janeg says sharply. It seems Thoke convinced Garnek, who in turn convinced his brother.
“Renai made her choice when she betrayed us and this tribe,” Garnek says. “We stand with you, Thoke. Kora’s and Father’s death will be avenged and my grandchildren returned to us.”
Thoke grabs both men’s arms by the elbow in agreement before returning to Neera and the others. The brothers remain inside the circle, probably to discuss what they just learned in private.
A few days pass and everyone is working as hard as they can. Thoke is doing most of the heavy lifting, however. Chopping down trees doesn't even take him half the time of anyone else, so he cuts down more trees than they even need.
Removing trees outside the palisade makes it possible to see further, giving them an early warning if they were to be attacked. Thoke's hard work means the palisade gets erected in only a few days. The logs are placed tightly together and are sharpened on top so that no one will easily climb over. They are also pushed as deep into the ground as possible. Where the earth is shallow, they place large stones near the bases to keep them standing. In some spots, they place large stumps and logs by the bases with the same purpose in mind. It can't be said the finished palisade is of the finest quality, but it will have to do.
Mekar is standing on the boulder where his brother’s life ended, seeing further than Hiro ever did from up there. Chopped tree stumps riddle the landscape before him.
“Thoke!” he yells, pointing toward the forest some hundred steps away.
Thoke vaults over the palisade and runs to the edge of the forest. There he sees a short and thin man staring at him with wide eyes. He turns and screams loudly before running in the opposite direction. Thoke easily gets in front of him and stops.
“Don't hurt me!” he cries, falling to his knees, holding his hands up in the air.
“What are you doing here?” Thoke makes his voice sound dark, hoping to scare the man even more.
“I was just curious, honest!” the man says half-sobbing.
Thoke grabs the man, lifting him high up above his head while trying to look as angry as possible.
“What tribe do you belong to?” he growls.
“Hoster's tribe,” the man stutters. “Please let me go!”
Thoke closes his eyes and focuses his hearing. He can hear unknown voices in the distance. Carefully, he drops the man back to the ground before running toward the sounds.
Some ways up the mountain, he spots them. The man was telling the truth. Thoke sees the long-bearded Hoster bellowing orders in his hoarse voice. His large, black wolf, Boron, still follows him close. The tribe appears to be somewhat sluggish and weak. They seem to be much fewer than they were last time they met.
“Hoster!” Thoke shouts while approaching.
Hoster looks up and comes walking down to him. He's got a scar moving from his forehead and down across to his jaw on the opposite side. This has caused his beard to be completely missing on the left side of his jaw. The man looks tired, beaten, and old. He scratches his balding head as he embraces Thoke like he would a long-lost brother.
Over the years, they have met several times and have traded furs and food. Boron runs to Thoke and licks his fingers. The old wolf is the only one Thoke has ever allowed to touch him like that.
“Thoke, old friend, what brings you here?” he asks. His voice becomes somewhat smoother from his efforts.
“I found a man sneaking around outside our camp. He claims to be one of yours,” Thoke explains.
“Ah…” Hoster shakes his head “…Derka that fool. I told him to keep his distance. I'll deal with him, don't worry. He won't bother you anymore.”
“Please, there's no need,” Thoke says. “In fact, I've been looking for you, so this was quite fortunate. How are you doing? Not to be rude, but you seem to have seen better days.”
“Yes, we were attacked by the ravages again. It was a close call, but we kept them at bay. Minus a few deaths, we've gotten quite good at repelling them now. The ravages seem to have been quite aggressive lately, nearly desperate. They attacked in numbers but were completely uncoordinated. Used to be a time they left barely a man alive. The wolves do their part, I tell you. Tell me, how’s yours doing?”
“You should come with us. We need good fighters to defeat the ravages once and for all,” Thoke says. Hoster appears intrigued, stroking his long beard. “Live in our village, behind the palisade where we're safe. You can all be part of our tribe.”
“That's a very generous offer, Thoke.” Hoster coughs a bit while stroking his beard some more.
“Together we can defeat the ravages. Your men have fought them more than any others. Fighters like that are exactly what we need, but you will have to answer to me,” Thoke says while trying to gauge Hoster's response. “You will be my second alongside Garnek. If we gather some more tribes to our cause, we might strike the ravages where they live, before they manage to attack us. We can finally rid ourselves of them.”
Hoster turns to look at his tribe and sighs deeply before turning back to Thoke.
“My tribe needs rest,” Hoster admits. “They won't survive out here for too long. One more attack and we might be done. So yes, we're with you.”
He reaches out an arm, and they grab each other below the elbow in agreement.
“Good. Together we can do this,” Thoke says, smiling. “How many are you now?”
“We're twenty-four. Eight men, twelve women, and four children. We had over forty members last summer, but we've lost them to battles, birthing, and the frost. Heck, I only have five women remaining to warm my furs.”
“May this day mark the start of a better future. Follow me and we will end the ravages.”
CHAPTER 21
Many days pass and the population of the tribe is close to one hundred. Having been a rough few years for all, there are only nine children. Hunting parties go out, constantly looking for prey. As soon as one returns, another group of four sits ready to be dispatched. Every day, they have to travel further to find food, but fortunately the sea isn't too far away and there’s always food to be found.
Their defenses still need improvement, more huts need to be built. Thoke leaves to find a herd of caribou to drive into the village. The enclosure is ready, but even for a man of Thoke's abilities, it won't be easy to get several caribou all the way from the plain.
When he finally gets them there, he's got to gather enough heather and moss for the caribou to sustain themselves until the slaughter. It will be hard work, but it will be worth it to have a ready source of meat close by.
After a lot of searching, and quite a bit of running, Thoke manages to get a herd of eleven caribou into the village. He feels there's no need to get more as it will be hard enough to keep these fed. These animals will only serve as food if the ravages make it impossible to hunt before they're ready to attack.
Thoke, Hoster, and Garnek sit inside the stone circle discussing what their next move should be. They're uncertain if their people are ready to withstand an attack from the much better trained ravages. The only members with any kind of battle experience are from Thoke’s and Hoster's old tribes.
“We need to put them into training,” Garnek suggests. “Janeg and I can train them on using spears while Neera and Mekar can teach them how to use bows.”
“I agree, but I'm afraid it's not going to be enough,” Thoke says. “We're running out of time.”
“They call you The Wolf Chief, right?” Garnek asks looking at Hoster.
“We had many wolves, yes, but now five are all that remain, just like my women,” Hoster says, shrugging his shoulders.
“How long would it take to get more?” Thoke asks, having understood Garnek's meaning.
“It takes many moons to train a wolf properly, and it must begin at birth.” Hoster sighs before widening his eyes. “I have given away many a wolf over the years. Perhaps someone will be willing to lend some back?”
�
�Where could you go?” Thoke asks.
“I gave away quite a few across the mountain and across the fjord. The area is not unknown to me, but it will take me several days to find them,” Hoster replies.
“One man moves faster than a tribe. Go and see what you can do and bring your wolves for protection,” Thoke commands.
Hoster nods and stands up. From outside the circle, Boron comes running, as excited as ever, like he knows what's about to happen. The wolf's yellow eyes still remain strong despite their age.
“I'll be back before the next full moon, with or without wolves. Until then, make sure the village still stands. I cannot afford to lose any more women. There's few enough in my hut at night as is.” Hoster leaves the circle, whistles, and the wolves come rushing after him. He doesn't go to meet his women. Saying goodbye to his five loves would probably take until morning. For a battle-worn old chief, he treats his women with great affection. They seem to hold the same feelings toward him as well.
Thoke knows he can't rely solely on the help of Hoster. They need to be ready if the ravages were to attack. He looks around the village and sees Rhekir standing just outside the gate. He's been silent since Larii's death, sitting mostly outside the village and looking in.
Thoke still hasn't been able to speak to his son. Every time he tries, he just can't find the right words. Rhekir has also kept his distance, probably due to feeling shame, but he always works hard in an attempt to impress his father. Sometimes Rhekir goes off to hunt by himself, also in a likely attempt to prove his worth. Thoke doesn't like it, though, as Rhekir is yet to take the test. Even still, he makes no effort to stop him from doing as he pleases. Neera, on the other hand, often speaks with her son. She has always known what to say to make him feel better.
“Come in here with us now, my son,” she says softly.
Rhekir stands leaning up against a tree, looking into the village with distant eyes.
“I can't.”
“How many times must I tell you?” Neera cups his cheeks with her hands. “It wasn't your fault. Everyone knows that. You lost her in the confusion of an attack. That’s all. It could have happened to anyone. It's time you let go of your guilt.”
“I haven't earned forgiveness yet,” Rhekir says, before walking off into the forest.
Thoke has gone up to the boulder and is scouting. He looks down to the sea and then up at the mountain. There's a calm breeze in the air, warm and full of early spring scents.
As Thoke turns, he sees Teemo standing right in between the palisade and the forest’s edge. He's smeared himself in the black stripes of the ravages, but he's still unmistakable. A few patches of beard makes the coal stripes look uneven. His scars have changed his face so much Thoke cannot even imagine how he used to look before.
Thoke walks out to meet Teemo, who doesn't even move in the least. Before Thoke gets a word out, Teemo begins to speak.
“The chief of these lands wishes to speak with you, alone,” he says, making it sound more like a demand than a request.
“Some trick, then?” Thoke asks. Dorkas was always good at schemes and trickery.
“The chief simply wants to talk. He sits on that high peak there,” Teemo explains, pointing up to the mountain. “From there you will be able to see both villages.” Teemo turns around and walks into the forest.
Thoke feels unsure about this, but curiosity pulls at him. He tells Neera and Garnek what's going on, and they decide it's best he goes to find out what Dorkas wants. Should there be any traps, Thoke will detect them.
On his way to the mountain’s peak he senses no one else’s presence. It appears Dorkas is alone. Thoke smells and listens to perhaps discover anyone hidden, but it seems Teemo was telling the truth. Dorkas has dressed lightly, covered only by a wolf pelt across his shoulders and some thin straps of hide across his upper body.
“Sit down, Thoke,” Dorkas says, patting the rock next to him. Thoke remains standing some steps away. “Well,” Dorkas continues, raising his brows. “I asked you here to accept your surrender.”
Thoke pulls out his dagger and walks briskly toward Dorkas.
“Hey, hey!” Dorkas shouts while holding his hands in front of his face. “If I'm not back before sunset, the children die.” That sly, smug smile once again covers Dorkas's face. It's as if he knows every secret in the world, while Thoke knows none.
Thoke stops but keeps his dagger tightly gripped.
“There you go, wise boy.” Dorkas smile grows wider. “I hear you've become quite the builder lately. Come on, you have no chance here. You must know that.” Dorkas stands and walks toward Thoke but then stops well outside reach. “I'm willing to let you pack up your things and leave. Your people will not be harmed if you do. I promise, for old times’ sake.”
“You killed Larii,” Thoke snarls.
“What?” Dorkas exclaims. “I can't seem to remember having killed anyone in quite a while. When your camp was under attack, I was sitting warm and comfy in my hut. How could I kill anyone from there?”
“Your orders, your deed.” Thoke’s eyes tighten.
“No!” Dorkas snaps, changing behavior from that of a fox to a wolf in an instant. “My orders were to attack the tribe, kill the old and the bald one, but to leave all others alive. Get the children small enough not to know what's really happened and take them here. Quickly in and quickly out, that's it. Those was my orders.” Dorkas is absolutely fuming. “My hope was that you would be scared enough to run off, and we'd get some new tribe members in the process. But then that idiot killed your daughter and ruined everything. I never wished to harm her, Thoke, you must believe me.”
Thoke looks into Dorkas's eyes, and he can swear he sees sadness and remorse in there. Still, it could be another one of his lies, his tricks.
“We still would have stayed to find the children. There’s no way we would have left without them.” Thoke says.
“Ahhh, come on!” Dorkas's behavior changes once again. “Admit it, Thoke. If Larii would have lived, you never would have come to find vengeance, and you would never have set foot in my village.”
Sadly, Dorkas is probably right. He would most likely have brought his family to safety after the attack. That would have been the most important thing.
“There's no reason for vengeance, Thoke,” Dorkas continues. “Remember the maimed man outside my gate when you arrived at the village? He was the one who disobeyed me. He was the one who killed Larii. First I took his toes, then his fingers, and then his tongue. Lastly, I removed his manhood. I wanted to remove every part of him, but he perished from the loss of blood.” Dorkas comes closer and whispers, “Leave, Thoke. Save what's left of your tribe and leave.”
With a roar, Thoke smacks Dorkas to the ground and jumps on top of him. They roll over the rocky mountaintop before Thoke ends back on top. He buries two hard punches across Dorkas's nose, but then Dorkas manages to kick him off, flinging Thoke into the air. He lands hard on the rocks with a crack.
Dorkas smiles and wipes away blood from under his broken nose with the back of his hand.
“Relax, Thoke. No harm done. These things heal fast for us, don’t they?” Dorkas says, once again wearing that smug smile.
Thoke stands up and begins thinking about the children in Dorkas's village. With a heavy breath, he turns and walks away.
“I saw you on the island!” Dorkas yells, causing him to stop for a moment. “First, I was happy, but then I met Renai again for the first time since I saved her.” Dorkas begins speaking in a low voice as if Thoke was standing next to him, knowing full well he can hear him anyway. “We talked and I decided to abort the attack, but the lightning struck before I talked to Org. So he attacked while I was lying unconscious in my hut. I assume you know how that feels.” Dorkas disappears from view, but he keeps talking, and Thoke keeps listening. “You left, and I looked for you for a while. Then I realized that if you knew about my village, you would try to destroy it. To take it away from me, like you have always done.
Go home now, Thoke. The next time we meet will be the last.”
Thoke comes back to his village and is met by Neera, Garnek, and Mekar. The villagers are working all around them, most mending holes in the palisade, some preparing weapons.
“Now, what happened?” Garnek wonders.
“He wants us to pack up our things and leave. The ravages will not harm us if we do,” Thoke explains.
Neera reaches over and strokes his cheek before she notices a bruise. She shakes her head, and Thoke shrugs.
“What else did he say?” Neera asks, knowing that couldn't have been all that was said between the two former best of friends.
“Dorkas says he never wanted to kill anyone except Sernak and Hiro. No one else was to be hurt.”
“That explains why only the wolves were skewered by arrows,” Mekar notes.
“I get Sernak, Renai wanted him dead, but why kill Hiro?” Thoke wonders.
“Because he stood on the boulder. He was an easy target,” Garnek suggests.
“But Dorkas had already decided Hiro was to be killed before the attack. Why would they want him dead?” Thoke still doesn't get it. Then he remembers something Renai said back in their village. “Renai mentioned she was guilty of Hiro’s maiming.” Thoke scratches his beard while looking around at the others.
Mekar sighs and sits down on a tree stump. “I think I get it now,” he begins. “Just think about it for a moment. Hiro disappears and when we found him, it appeared he didn't even want to be found. In the following days, Renai was never far from Hiro’s side.”