Akule nodded, acknowledging that the conversation had ended. Khon’Tor dismissed him from the room and sat for a moment.
He would have liked to press Akule further. But the watcher’s misinterpretation of Khon’Tor’s rage toward Hakani had thrown the Leader off-stride. Maybe it was the only thing that left an impression on Akule. It is possible he did not see any further than the surface and took it all at face value. A concerned Leader had gone out looking for one of his people after being told she might be in trouble.
Khon’Tor sat there, realizing he did not know any more than he had the night before. Either Akule honestly does not suspect me of any wrongdoing—or he is smarter than he looks.
Hakani had waited nervously all evening for Khon’Tor to come back. All her planning and manipulation had come to nothing because of the watcher pounding on the door just when Khon’Tor was about to break.
She paced around their quarters. I played my best hand. I cannot think of another way to make him so angry again. He will not fall for another set-up.
Hakani knew that without being in a mad rage, Khon’Tor would never commit such a crime against her or anyone else for that matter. In all the years of his leadership, there had never been a charge or even an accusation of misconduct against him. He was high tempered but strong-willed, and he never lost control of his actions.
She had thought it all out carefully. When she had signaled her desire to mate with him, she was reassured to feel his response to her. But she had to time her rejection of him precisely; if she had waited too long, she would have been committed to the act, and she had no intention of allowing him that satisfaction.
However, his taking of her Without Her Consent was never Hakani’s plan. Khon’Tor thought he had won because he had stopped himself in time, but for Hakani the game had only begun. She was not going to leave her plan to discredit him and strip him of his honor to a ‘he said, or she said’ accusation between an estranged pair. She knew Khon’Tor would threaten Bak’tah-Awhidi to set her aside and take a second mate, and she was ready with the felling blow. In telling Khon’Tor she was with offspring, but that it was not his, she had trumped his last move. Hakani had intended to inflame him to the point of committing an act for which there would be no forgiveness.
He had no idea I was lying about being with offspring! I never mated with another male. I know better than to offer myself to anyone else. Despite the rise and fall of his favor, he is still the Leader, and out of respect for him, no male would touch me. But he does not know that. At that point, she had thought she could see his mind snap and she had prepared herself, hoping that in his rage, he would not kill her.
Hakani remembered looking up at Khon’Tor as he stood over her with blood lust burning in his eyes and realized he probably would have killed her had the watcher not come to their quarters at just that moment. She wondered if in some ways the interruption had not been for the best. She had underestimated the extent of his anger. Unable to stand being isolated in their quarters any longer, she left and went to the Great Chamber.
Even as she approached the room, she could feel the electrified atmosphere. Hakani had lost favor with the People, so they did not actively seek contact with her, but if she approached them, they would never be rude enough to shun her completely either. So when she walked up to a group to hear what was going on, several of them stepped back so she could join their circle.
The only thing anyone seemed to know was that the Healer had been hurt, possibly very seriously, in some kind of fall. Nadiwani and the Brothers’ Medicine Woman, Ithua, were caring for her. That Ithua was there was immediate cause for speculation, but that seemed to be all anyone knew.
What Hakani knew and none of the others did, was that the previous evening, someone had come to the Leader’s Quarters, frantically pounding on the door over some obviously urgent matter. And that Khon’Tor had left with him and not returned to their quarters for the rest of the night. Hakani was sure it had to be related to Adia’s accident.
She looked around the expansive room. Though it was teeming with bodies, Khon’Tor was always easy to spot. If his extreme height did not give him away, his crown of silver hair did. Not finding him, she wondered where he could be.
Khon’Tor was still sitting in the same chamber in which he had just finished his conversation with Akule. But he needed an update on Adia’s status, so he headed in that direction.
When he arrived, he asked the guard to let Nadiwani know he was there—even the Leader had to have permission to enter the Healer’s Quarters. While he was waiting, he made it a point to listen to the tone of the conversation. He had been informed that Ithua had arrived to help, and she and Nadiwani were speaking calmly. He listened carefully, so he would notice any shift when his arrival was announced. It would not tell him much, but it might be a clue as to whether they had discovered there was more to her injuries than the blow to her head. If they had, they might stop talking when he appeared.
Even in his blind rage, Khon’Tor had known Adia was a maiden and that he was very likely hurting her seriously in his assault. At the time, he had not cared; if anything, it led to much of his satisfaction. Now he realized that where otherwise they might not have discovered the violation, there would be physical evidence of the force to which, in his fury, he had subjected Adia. Evidence that might lead them to the discovery. And there would be no other explanation than the obvious for how those injuries had come about.
Khon’Tor stepped into the room. The two females looked up, and Nadiwani nodded at him in acknowledgment. She told him it was still touch and go, and that they were now waiting to see if Ithua’s medicines and Acaraho’s body heat would be enough to turn her condition in the right direction.
“Do you still need his services?” asked Khon’Tor, looking over at Acaraho. He was wondering what the High Protector had overheard during all this time in the room with them and was anxious for a report.
“A little while longer until she is out of the woods.”
As they were standing there, Adia started to come around and made a little sound. Nadiwani and Ithua went immediately to her.
Unfortunately, she did not stay awake long enough to notice Khon’Tor and slipped back into unconsciousness.
“Do you still have need of Acaraho’s services?” Khon’Tor asked again.
Nadiwani and Ithua exchanged a few words, and they went back to Adia.
Nadiwani touched Adia’s face, checking for warmth. “There is no longer any sign of fever, and her skin feels warm to the touch. But I retain the right to have Acaraho back, should Adia’s body temperature drop in the slightest,” she told him firmly.
When Adia had started stirring, and Nadiwani came over with Ithua to check her, Acaraho took advantage of the opportunity to get up. He eased Adia off him and slipped from the sleeping mat. He did not want her waking up and finding herself lying in bed in his arms. Acaraho locked his eyes on Adia’s every movement as she was waking up. He was waiting for her to notice Khon’Tor, standing there in the room. At the same time, he was also watching Khon’Tor.
If Khon’Tor had anything to do with Adia being hurt, I will see it in his reaction and hers when she first notices him. Between the two of them, someone’s response will tell me what I need to know.
When Khon’Tor asked if the High Protector could be relieved of his duty, Acaraho was both grateful and not; without being constantly in the room, the odds were that he would not be present when she woke. And he needed to be there to witness that unguarded moment between her and Khon’Tor. And as long as Acaraho was in the room, he was aware of Adia’s condition at all times. Lastly, no one was better prepared or better able to protect her than he was.
Knowing Khon’Tor, Acaraho was sure the Leader wanted to find out what had been overhead in the room over the past day.
Khon’Tor had plans, but so did Acaraho and none of his included being taken away from Adia.
“Come with me, Acaraho,” said Khon’Tor. Then
, turning to Ithua and Nadiwani, he added, “If her condition changes, send word to me immediately. Thank you.” He started to walk away, expecting the High Protector to follow him.
Acaraho did not want to play this card yet, but he needed a way to stay with Ithua, Nadiwani, and Adia.
Without moving from his current position, he said, “Adoeete, may I make the point that there is still a threat to the Healer aside from her injuries.”
“I do not know what you mean, Acaraho. I doubt Hakani would try anything right now, and there are two females with her at all times,” replied Khon’Tor.
“I was not referring to your mate, Khon’Tor,” answered Acaraho, this time intentionally addressing Khon’Tor by name instead of the more formal title, Adoeete.
His eyes locked on Khon’Tor for any reaction to his next statement, “It is possible what happened to the Healer was not an accident,” and he delivered his first blow to Khon’Tor’s protective veneer.
There it was.
Khon’Tor blinked.
With the slightest of motions, he just gave himself away. So Khon’Tor did play a role in Adia’s injuries. The next questions are, what was his role, and to what extent—if any—was he responsible for those injuries?
“Can another take your place here?” asked Khon’Tor.
“Awan is my best guard, and Adia managed to trick him long enough to leave the protection of Kthama,” was Acaraho’s reply. “Also, should her condition take a turn for the worse, they may need my services again,” he added.
The Leader’s chance to learn anything from Acaraho’s stint in the Healer’s Quarters evaporated before him.
Khon’Tor cannot fight me too hard on this, or it will be obvious he is not concerned for the Healer’s safety.
“Very well,” replied Khon’Tor. “I bow to your judgment.”
To Acaraho, that was the second tell regarding Khon’Tor’s involvement. Though Acaraho held the second-highest command position, Khon’Tor would never give up any of his status over anyone, however thin his edge. He would not under any circumstances show any subservience, even to Acaraho. His statements, accompanied by a slight nod in Acaraho’s direction, were meant to flatter the High Protector and to win his favor.
The score was now two for two, in favor of Khon’Tor’s guilt.
The Leader continued on his way, and Acaraho remained in the Healer’s Quarters.
Days passed. Khon’Tor received word that the Waschini party had passed through the People’s territory and out at its farthest borders without incident. He called another general assembly and shared that the threat had passed, but announced he was leaving the watchers in place.
Adia awoke fully on the morning of the third day following her injury. She was piled under an enormous weight of blankets, and everything everywhere seemed to hurt. A shadow of alarm went through her when she first noticed the weight of the furs, but it faded, and then they became a comfort. She raised her head and realized she was somehow back in her quarters, and she recognized the voices of Nadiwani and Ithua. She felt safe and so relieved that someone had found her and brought her back.
Once she knew where she was and that she was safe, Adia lay still for a while, collecting her thoughts and trying to remember what had happened. She wanted some time to think for herself before all the questions started.
She remembered Khon’Tor telling everyone about the Waschini riding party coming through, and his order that no one could leave.
Why did I have to go and dig up the locket? What was I thinking? That was foolish. I must have been sick and not thinking straight. She remembered tricking Awan and escaping Kthama through the water-return stream in the females’ bathing area.
She had found the locket she had buried in its little pouch and was on her way back when Khon’Tor was suddenly blocking her way. She could tell he was very angry. Adia was not sure what happened next, but the last few things she remembered were Khon’Tor yelling at her and hitting her, followed by her head exploding and her body slamming hard onto the cold, snow-covered ground. After that, she remembered, a struggle to remain conscious. She had slipped in and out, finally losing the battle but not before she felt Khon’Tor’s tremendous weight almost crushing her and then a violent pain she had never imagined and could not recognize as anything she had experienced before.
As she remembered all of this, the horror of what had happened hit her full force. She choked back a sob, trying to get her reactions under control.
Khon’Tor had intentionally hit her, knocked her to the ground, and left her there to die. But in addition to all that, he had committed an unspeakable act against her. Her mind could not accept it. Attacking her—hitting a female—was bad enough. But she could not fathom that he would violate her. It was not only against one of the laws of the People, but it was also one of their most sacred. Worse yet, she was a maiden and a Healer. Was, thought Adia to herself. She had never been paired, but she understood full well the cause of the pain still throbbing through her center.
A terrifying thought hit her. Who tended to me? Was it Ithua? Nadiwani? Do they realize what was done to me? I am not ready to face them.
She quietly rolled over, pulled the skins up over her, and retreated into herself. Whatever awful things I thought of Khon’Tor in the past, I never thought him capable of this. I cannot imagine why he did something so terrible. I have defied him before. I know I should not have left, but what was so dreadful about me slipping out that it would invoke such a brutal and irrational response?
Adia needed time to let her feelings flow, to grieve, to let the tears out. I need time to figure out what to do. They are going to have questions I am not yet prepared to answer.
When Adia felt she was finally ready to make it known that she was awake, she rolled over and partially sat up. It took only seconds for Nadiwani and Ithua to notice, and only a few more before both were at her side.
Nadiwani sat down on the edge of the sleeping mat next to Adia and took her hand, smiling that her friend was finally fully awake. Ithua went about checking Adia’s signs and reassuring herself the Healer was finally out of the woods.
As Acaraho had predicted, Khon’Tor was not in the room when Adia came around. But Acaraho was there, and he was grateful for that.
Standing against the wall at his usual post, it was all he could do not to rush over to her side as well.
To krell with it. I have been used as a heated sleeping mat for that female, in her own bed no less. I think protocol can take this little hit. And with that, he stepped away from where he usually stood and went over to join them.
Adia looked up as Acaraho came over, this time not avoiding eye contact. She immediately felt safer, knowing he was nearby.
“How do you feel, Adia?” asked Nadiwani, “Please tell me; what hurts and where?”
“Everything and everywhere,” was her reply.
Nadiwani sighed, letting the matter go because she was sure the clinical aspects of Adia’s injuries were not at the top of the Healer’s mind.
“Adia,” this time Acaraho spoke. This was only the second time he had ever addressed her directly. Adia looked up at him, transfixed, wanting never to break eye contact.
“What do you remember about how you got hurt? Can you tell me what happened?” he asked. She thought she detected tenderness in his voice.
Adia had prepared for this question as she was lying there trying to remember what had happened.
She knew the consequences for Khon’Tor would be severe. But once made public the effects of what he had done to her would rock the foundations of their community and inflict immeasurable suffering on all the People. At a time when they needed faith and trust in their leadership to face the challenges that were ahead for them, to find out what Khon’Tor was capable of could shatter the framework of their society.
This is bigger than my injuries. I can deal with those myself privately. But I am not ready to deal with the chaos and even civil war that might well result from
this. I need more time.
Adia looked up at Acaraho, and because it broke her heart to withhold anything from him, she could not maintain eye contact and looked down before answering him.
“I am not sure. It is all very fuzzy. I remember hitting the ground, and my head exploding with pain,” she said. “I remember feeling so very tired and so cold. And I remember being carried,” she continued. Technically, this was all true.
“And then I remember a feeling of such comfort and warmth. Safety. Protection, really— I do not remember why. And then I woke up a little while ago,” she added.
Adia knew someone with a head injury could often lose memory—sometimes only temporarily, sometimes permanently. She knew Nadiwani and Ithua also knew this, and she was counting on them to speak up now.
“Do not worry about it, Adia,” said Nadiwani. “Sometimes, it takes a while for the memories to return. Just rest and let me get you something to eat. You have not eaten in days.”
And then Adia could stand it no longer. She had to know what they knew.
“My head is splitting; what happened?” she asked.
So Nadiwani told her the story of how Is‘Taqa found her while bringing the pelts and wrappings for Oh'Dar, and that he ran to Kthama and brought back help.
“Acaraho was the one who carried you back,” she said. Adia wondered if his carrying her was the comfort and warmth she remembered. But it seemed to have lasted far longer than the distance between there and home.
Nadiwani added, “We have been doing everything we can to help you get better. You took a serious blow to your head and had a fever. I think you were perhaps sick before you even left Kthama.”
Adia touched Nadiwani’s fingers and then reached out and took Ithua’s hand, looking up into her eyes. The Medicine Woman just nodded and squeezed her hand back. For a Medicine Woman to leave her tribe to help another was an extraordinary sacrifice and risk. Adia hoped Ithua could feel her gratitude and vowed she would someday repay this incredible debt.
Khon'Tor's Wrath Page 18