All eyes turned her way as she entered.
She walked up and stood in front of the High Council. She did not have to wait long for their undivided attention.
Looking directly at Kurak’Kahn, she calmly stated, “I will relinquish the offspring I carry.”
Khon’Tor’s stare was all but burning a hole into Hakani. She averted her eyes and ignored him as best she could, silently gloating over the coup she had just pulled off. It was all she could do to keep a smile off her face. I knew without a doubt that Adia would never relinquish the Waschini offspring. I knew Adia’s choice even before I staked my claim.
Kurak’Kahn spoke. “The matter brought to the High Council by Adia, Healer of the People of the High Rocks, has been heard. As a result of the situation, at the age at which the offspring can safely be removed from his or her birth mother, Adia will surrender the offspring she carries into the care of Hakani, Third Rank and mate of Khon’Tor, Leader of the People of the High Rocks.”
But then he turned to address Hakani, “Hakani, at this moment, the High Council has no jurisdiction or grounds on which to deny your claim to the Healer’s offspring. However, should evidence be brought to our attention that you are not caring for this offspring as if it were your own, we will have jurisdiction at that point, and we will vacate your claim. Should it come to this, I assure you, you can count on justice alone and no mercy from this Council.”
The sting and weight of Kurak’Kahn’s words were not lost on Hakani. It was clear he questioned her motives and was letting her—and everyone else in the room—know it.
Then he turned and spoke to Adia directly, “Adia Adoeete. I know this may feel like a punishment to you. Please trust that it is not intended as such. What I stated earlier stands; we do not sit in judgment of you. We recognize that this is an extremely difficult situation for you, and our decision is meant to allow you to continue in your calling as the Healer to your people. It is meant to lessen your burdens, not add to them,” he continued.
“However, I will offer you an alternative solution. Should you decide before the birth of your offspring that the burden of our resolution is too high and you wish to relinquish your position as Healer of the People of the High Rocks to keep the offspring you carry, please send word through Commander Acaraho at the earliest possible moment. We will then attend to the matter of selecting a new Healer for your people.”
Then the Overseer added, dropping his voice, “That is the best I can do, Adia.”
With that, Kurak’Kahn stood up, signaling the end of the official hearing.
“Someone will be in touch with you, Commander Acaraho, about the identity of the Healer who will come to tend to Adia Adoeete during her carrying of the offspring and the offspring’s delivery. In addition, I am ordering you, Commander Acaraho, to select a helpmate to assist Hakani in caring for Adia’s offspring—should Adia elect to surrender the offspring to Hakani and continue in her role as Healer to the People of the High Rocks. The meeting of the High Council on this matter is resolved.”
Everyone in the room, including Hakani, knew that the Overseer had just assigned a spy to make sure the offspring was never in danger. He wanted a direct line of information coming to Acaraho regarding the care the offspring was receiving.
The rest of the High Council members then rose from behind the table.
The Overseer came up to Acaraho and thanked him again for his part and for all the arrangements he had put in place. Kurak’Kahn then placed his right hand on Acaraho’s shoulder in the People’s sign of brotherhood and respect, and Acaraho placed his left hand on Kurak’Kahn’s shoulder in return. The Overseer had paid Acaraho a great tribute. The other Council members also came forward to thank him for the hospitality he had shown them.
Despite her raw emotions, Adia smiled at seeing Acaraho receive such an honor from Kurak’Kahn. Khon’Tor watched the same display with narrowed eyes and a jealous heart.
* * *
As they all left, one of the guards came up to Adia and explained that he was under Acaraho’s orders to see her safely wherever she wished to go for the balance of the day. She turned back to catch Acaraho’s eye, but he was busy talking with the Council members. So she thanked the guard and made her way back to her quarters. She very much wanted to go to her private hideaway, but she did not want anyone knowing she took solace there. It would have to wait.
Nadiwani was waiting for Adia. Honovi was also there, and when Adia came through the door, Oh’Dar pointed to her and gave the sign for Mama. He now reserved it for Adia only, using the Auntie Mama sign taught to him by Honovi for Nadiwani.
Adia went over and embraced the small, frail thing whom she now loved so much. Her tears fell as she hugged him gingerly, and she knew she had made the right decision.
No one will care for him as I will. He is all alone in the world, more alone than I am, for he has only me. He is an orphan and does not yet realize how different he is from everyone around him. In the end, he will always be an Outsider. Adia’s tears fell now for the helpless offspring entrusted to her care, and she vowed again never to let anything harm him.
She suddenly remembered the locket. She had forgotten about it—the very reason she had been out there the night Khon’Tor attacked her. She was so relieved when Is’Taqa returned it. She knew Khon’Tor had destroyed the little pouch the locket had been in—tearing it apart with his teeth and tossing it unceremoniously over into the treetops along the path’s edge. The locket, the little blanket, and the stuffed brown toy that looked like a bear were Oh’Dar’s only ties back to his original family. She did not know how they could ever be important to him, but like his learning Whitespeak, somehow she knew they would be.
Adia realized her judgment was impaired that terrible night. As much as she valued the locket, she knew it had been safe where it was. There was no reason for her to venture out to fetch it. Her mind had been clear enough to devise the plan to lose Awan, but not clear enough to realize there was no need to retrieve the locket at that moment. It nearly broke her heart that such an unnecessary trip should have ended so tragically.
Adia signed to Oh’Dar that she loved him and set him down. He toddled back to Honovi, giggling and flapping his pale little arms all the way. He is such a free spirit. I hope I can protect his carefree heart as he grows into adulthood. Thank the Great Mother that Acaraho will be the one helping me raise him.
She knew it created complications for both her and Acaraho, but they would somehow have to manage these along with everything else going on.
Honovi scooped Oh’Dar up and told the others she was taking him to visit Mapiya or Donoma. With Adia’s permission, she had begun enlarging his world. Oh’Dar signed goodbye as they went out of the door.
The High Council meeting had drained Adia. She was grateful to Honovi for giving her some time to process what had taken place.
She asked Nadiwani to sit with her while she went over the events in the order they had occurred. When Adia got to the point where Kurak’Kahn declared she must give up one of the two offspring, the Helper’s jaw dropped. Then Adia told Nadiwani that Hakani had claimed and won the right to raise whichever offspring she gave up.
“Hakani is only doing this to torment you, Adia. We both know that. She wants to see you suffer, though for what reason I have no idea. I have gone over this and over this, and I cannot remember a single incident that would have caused her to dislike you so much. But take heart. There is no love lost between Khon’Tor and Hakani. Despite the tension existing between you and him, I doubt he would let any harm come to an offspring because of her. It would not be a good reflection on him, shall we say.”
Adia then told Nadiwani about Kurak’Kahn’s statement that they were assigning a helper to Hakani, and if there were even an inkling that Hakani was not doing right by the offspring, they would vacate her claim in an instant.
“That was a very wise move, Adia. And aside from that, you know Acaraho is going to be monitoring the situa
tion very carefully, as will we,” she added. “Your offspring will be safe.”
When Nadiwani said the word offspring, Adia finally broke down. The thought of handing a helpless offspring—any offspring but yes, her offspring—over to that person was unbearable. Nadiwani sat with her arms around her friend while Adia sobbed out all the stress, tension, and heartache of the last two days.
Chapter 7
Acaraho saw the High Council members out. He then met with all the guards and thanked them for their exemplary service. He dismissed them but signaled to Awan to stay.
“I need you to assume a post at the beginning of the tunnel leading to the Healer’s Quarters. No one, and I mean no one, other than the Healer’s Helper, Nadiwani, the Whitespeak teacher Honovi, and Mapiya and Haiwee is allowed in unless escorted by me,” said Acaraho.
Awan nodded.
But Acaraho continued, “Do you understand by my use of the term no one I am including Khon’Tor?” he asked.
“I do now, Commander,” answered Awan.
“You are under no obligation to do what I am directing you to do,” said Acaraho, making sure that Awan understood his charge and was willing to fulfill it.
“I need to ask, Commander. What is my response should someone, anyone, attempt to breach the corridor?”
“I am authorizing you to use whatever force is necessary to keep whoever that is from reaching the Healer’s Quarters, Awan. Do I make myself clear?” stated Acaraho, never taking his eyes off Awan, watching for any wavering or resistance.
“I understand, Adik’Tar. I have no problem with this. I assure you I will carry out your orders with no hesitation,” he replied.
Of all Acaraho’s guards and watchers, his First Guard was always the one Acaraho chose for the most challenging assignments, and Awan had never wavered and had never failed. Acaraho did not blame his First Guard for being taken in by Adia when she escaped through the females’ bathing area almost a season ago. He and Awan had a bond from years of shared experiences. They had been raised together and were like brothers to each other.
By issuing that order, I just committed treason. But Khon’Tor is trapped in an untenable situation, and trapped people often go to terrible extremes to free themselves. Now that I have involved Awan in this act, I will owe him for the rest of my life—as if I did not already.
Acaraho now knew the lines Khon’Tor had crossed with Adia; he did not want to test how much further Khon’Tor was willing to go to protect his position of power.
* * *
Khon’Tor was indeed feeling trapped. The day had ended too early to return to his quarters, though he had no intention of going there anyway. He did not trust himself with Hakani at this moment; he needed time to calm down.
The Leader headed for the Great Chamber and then onward outside. He had much to sort out, and he wanted no chance of anyone observing him in his agitated state.
Despite everything, Hakani had still found a way to thwart him; to bring strain and misery back into his life. Though what Khon’Tor said was true—her claim of this offspring did not meet his demand for an heir—he also knew it effectively tied his hands. He could not put her out of his quarters and select another mate; the court of public opinion would never forgive him for such a callous move.
And on top of all that, the High Council was questioning her motives. As a result, he would have to put up with not only an offspring under his roof but another adult—a helpmate of some type. No matter what they called it, he knew they meant it as an objective set of eyes to report on what was happening behind his closed doors. In other words, a spy.
And Khon’Tor did not like the relationship that was forming between the High Council members and Acaraho. He did not like the honor Kurak’Kahn had bestowed on the High Protector with his gesture of brotherhood as they were dispersing.
He did not like that Acaraho would be the one to select the helpmate for Hakani. All in all, Acaraho was becoming too powerful—and too popular—for Khon’Tor’s taste.
Khon’Tor walked for what seemed like hours. The cold air helped clear the angry fog clouding his thoughts. Mindless physical activity always seemed to help him sort out his thinking and decide his next course of action. There might be months between now and when Adia would deliver her offspring—their offspring—but it did not mean he had months to decide what to do next.
The longer Khon’Tor walked, the clearer his thinking became.
This offspring serves no purpose to me, he realized. I can never claim it. Even if it is a male, it can never assume a place as heir to my leadership. It is nothing but a complication. And it will re-establish Hakani’s position as my mate. I will never be rid of her after that point, regardless of whether she produces me an offspring or not.
When Hakani assumes care of that offspring, all my control over her is lost. She has made my life miserable already; but then all bets will be off, especially after what I have put her through the last few nights.
Khon’Tor’s outrage at what Hakani had achieved returned to him as he walked back. As much as he wanted to take his anger out on her, he also realized his punishment was becoming too predictable. And the more predictable it became, the more she could armor herself against its effects. And that he did not want.
Khon’Tor admitted he had never enjoyed mating a female as much as he did with this new approach. His appetites had taken a turn down a dark path. He found himself looking forward more and more to punishing Hakani. And the more she fought him and the more she hated him, the more pleasure it brought him.
And to reward her for what she had done now, he would take some time and plan out an exceptional experience for her. For them both.
* * *
While Khon’Tor was out walking and making plans to the detriment of Hakani, she was considering the consequences of her actions. If Khon’Tor had been angry with her before, he was livid now. She knew she was in for it that evening, and felt real fear brewing in the pit of her stomach.
Maybe I should leave. But where would I go? I cannot give up living here, not now, when I am only months away from establishing complete control over him. Hakani knew the offspring Adia was carrying was her ticket to freedom. She knew once the offspring was established in their lives, there was nothing Khon’Tor could do to her after that. There would be too much attention on them. And while she had at first railed against the idea of a helpmate, she realized that while this would fix another set of eyes on her, it would also put his actions under the same scrutiny.
Khon’Tor can have his way with me all he wants over the next few months. I know what to expect now. I can get through it. Eventually, his control over me will come to an end, and when it does, the tables will turn my way again, with a vengeance.
* * *
Honovi and Oh’Dar sat in the middle of Mapiya’s living area. Oh’Dar was happily playing with a set of cooking utensils Mapiya had given him—stacking them, knocking them over, and then doing it all again. Each time he toppled them, and they scattered about, he laughed with delight, looking up at the females, his blue eyes sparkling.
As Oh’Dar continued to demonstrate how clever he was, the females shared their thoughts on the rearing of offspring and other female matters. Mapiya had opened her quarters and her heart to the young Whitespeak teacher. And Mapiya’s kindness had helped Honovi tremendously in her adjustment to life among the People. Honovi had ceased to see them as disquieting giants. She no longer thought of them as Sasquatch and herself as one of the Brothers. She saw them as people, and she related to Mapiya, Nadiwani, Adia, and all the others she was getting to know as the individuals they were.
It was some time since Honovi had come to live with them, and today she was very quiet. Mapiya wondered if perhaps she was becoming homesick?
“How are you coping here? It has been some time since you came; are you homesick?”
“Oh, I am, yes, Mapiya. I have been thinking about going home for a little while, assuming Adia would be comfortable with
it.”
Mapiya knew Honovi no longer had a mother and surmised that Honovi was starting to turn to her for motherly advice because of the age difference between them.
“Mapiya, may I ask you a question, female to female?”
The older female was flattered that Honovi would ask her a question on anything. “Of course. Whatever you want to ask,” she replied.
“You know I am not bonded to a man,” Honovi continued.
Mapiya nodded.
“There is a man—” she started.
Mapiya could not help but smile. How many of the females’ problems start with, “There is a man,” she thought.
“And he does not seem to know you exist?” Mapiya interrupted, at the same time giving Honovi a sweet smile.
“Yes! How did you know?” laughed the young woman in response.
“You know, a lot has happened here since Oh’Dar came to join us. There have been many changes and many challenges. And now you are here. And the more I learn about us all—the Brothers, the People, even the Waschini—the more I realize that, as females, our similarities are far greater than our differences.” Mapiya paused.
“So tell me about this man,” she encouraged, a sparkle in her eye. “Was it by chance one of the two Brothers who came to visit you while they were here for the High Council meeting?”
Honovi blushed and nodded. “He is a great man. He is a man of honor and courage. He is smart and kind and a great hunter. He shows kindness to the sick and the helpless. He plays with the offspring when he has time. He can build a fire quicker than any other man in the village,” she explained.
“And you have feelings for him.”
“Yes. I have had for some time. Unfortunately, he does not seem to take much notice of me. The only time he did was when I was asked to come here to teach Whitespeak to Oh’Dar,” continued Honovi.
The Healer’s Mantle Page 11