by A. K. Vyas
“I wish Cloud had been made of rock so the Sabretooth couldn’t have hurt him,” Emil remarked.
Papa responded.
“Yes, but then he wouldn’t have been that fluffy little ball of fur we saved that day. Cloud showed what he was made of whenever things got tough. I know what you mean though. Your mama and I will always see you as our baby. We wish you were made of obsidian, so nothing could ever hurt you either. But that wouldn’t be our Emil. Our vulnerabilities and weaknesses are part of what makes us who we are. If you truly love someone, you learn this. Life is hard, but that’s also what makes it so beautiful—we are all unique and mortal. There will never be another day just like this. There will never be another person like you, or your loved ones. Learn to cherish the vulnerability, fragility, and beauty of as many days as you are given. Emil, you are everything your mother and I could ever have dreamed of in a son. We love you, are proud of you, and this will never change.”
Dawn found them still cuddled up in the tree.
They awoke to an acrid smell of smoke in the air. The panicked thrashing of herd animals fleeing a forest fire came from the north. Papa gauged the winds as Emil coughed from the smoke.
Papa observed, “The fire is high up in the north hills. Unless the winds shift completely, I think the village will be safe. We need to get out of here though. Let’s stay close since we’ll have to pass closer than I’d like to get home.”
The cackling of the flames was a dull, faraway roar, but another bass sound was echoing through the smoky air. Papa strained his ears and closed his eyes to concentrate. It was the Auroch horns of the People! The horns were only sounded in emergency. They called for all the People to return at once. Emil had seen the great horns but rarely heard them sound.
“Papa, are those the Auroch horns?” Emil wondered.
Papa nodded and led his son rapidly downhill on the game trail. They were making a very good pace, when Papa noticed Emil had stopped. He turned to implore his son to move fast. The fire isn’t far behind us. Emil put a finger to his nose and pointed to a thorny berry bush just where the trail suddenly dropped off. Papa ran back to grab Emil’s arm. His son cupped one hand over his ear, and pointed into the bushes.
Then Papa heard the unmistakable whimpers of newborn wolf cubs. The parents were nowhere to be seen and a full litter of five fluffy, crying cubs were alone in the bush. Papa’s head was on a swivel looking for the pack. It was clear they had been lost in panic, or swept up by the smoke. He guessed the wolves had carried away as many as they could. The fire is coming fast.
When Emil and Papa came coughing into the village, there were dazed expressions on the People’s faces. At first, they thought it was because of the new wolf cubs they were carrying. It wasn’t. Papa could see now the village was in no danger from the fires. So, what was it?
Mama greeted them both with a big hug and was gushing at the little pups. She took two in her arms from Emil and whispered something in Papa’s ear. Aash nodded slowly, and handed over the remaining cubs to Emil and Mama. He headed briskly for the Chief’s Gher.
The village Elders were waiting for Papa in the large Gher. Chief Sev had passed peacefully in the night.
The Elders greeted Papa warmly and had closed the Chief’s eyes. Papa looked down, thinking it was as serene as he’d ever seen the Chief’s weathered face. The Elders placed their hands on Papa’s shoulders. “You will lead the People now as per Sev’s decision, until the Eagle Feather passes the trials of manhood.”
Papa shook his head. “I’m honored, but there are other men who want this. Men would do a much better job. I just want to make spears, and raise my boy with Lulu.”
The Chief Elder declared:
“Sev predicted you would say this almost verbatim. He proclaimed this is exactly why you must be Chief, until Emil is ready. Life is hard for the People. The fact you don’t want the power, makes you exactly the right man. The best way for you to serve your family is to lead the People with strength and compassion. Your father and Sev have done so before you. It must be you. Emil will still not be told of his future, but frankly we’d be shocked if the boy hasn’t already figured this out. We will announce this at the evening meal.”
Papa opened the flap of their Gher to a warm greeting from Mama and the sight of Emil playing with a tiny, but feisty brown wolf cub. His son was ecstatic with laughter again.
“He was the runt of the litter, but the feistiest!” laughed Emil, “He reminds me of Bret, so I chose him. I’m going to call him Bear!”
The evening meal that night started out a bit quieter than usual. The People were surprised and chastened by the passing of Chief Sev. However, the Elders’ decision had unanimous support. Sev had given strict final orders the People were to eat, drink, and dance in his absence! They did so in memory of the gruff, thoughtful old warrior, who’d led them with such wisdom.
Aash was made Chief of the Auroch People in a quiet ceremony at dawn. The Elders anointed his temples with the sacred ochre paints. He raised the obsidian-tipped ivory war staff held by the Auroch Chief. It somehow seemed much heavier than yesterday, he thought.
The Spirit Ceremony for Chief Sev was held that afternoon. Emil’s papa, Chief Aash of the Auroch People, addressed his subjects for the first time.
“My brothers and sisters, you honor me with the ivory staff. Life is hard, but beautiful. None of us expected this. I’m wondering if this staff means now my son will listen and go to bed when asked. We will see. However, there are things I know. The man lying in front of us was a true blessing to the People. His strength and wisdom allowed us to prosper. Sev was born in a time of war. A fate many of us here have luckily never known. Sev was proud of this. If you look at this man’s body, it bears the scars of a lifetime of service to the People. It should come to no surprise that all of his battle scars are on the front of his body.
“Those of us who served with him know what he’d say if he could hear us now. Sev would say, ‘It’s because I could run really fast!’ I only ever saw him move one way, and that was for the heart of the danger. Sev taught me two things. The first is freedom isn’t free. Only strength and diligence protect our happiness. Second, discipline is freedom. We are a resourceful, resilient people, and our ancestors watch over us. We will be strong, we will be compassionate, we will be free.
“Sky Spirits, accept Chief Sev. A true and straight hunter, soar into the heavens of our ancestors.”
With this final salute, the pyres were lit.
The new Chief addressed the People at the evening meal later that day.
“We have some developments and changes.
“First, we have found a litter of new wolf cubs. They will be trained as Cloud was to help hunt, and protect the People. Emil will be responsible for this training in addition to his existing duties. Each of the pups has his own family. I believe they can be trained to run down game for us and help defend the People if needed.
“Second, we need a new Spearmaker, actually two. I will train anyone interested. There is no reason this post cannot go to a woman. This would free up another hunter.
“Third, and this is high priority, the hunting teams will remain intact for the most part. I want all the hunters to focus on the new sling weapon the boys have developed. It will amaze you. The hunters are first priority, but the women and the girls must also be taught the sling for defense. Finally, we are a proud people and honor our heritage. This will never change.
“Think, my friends, on the changes in our lives over the past few winters. We have throwing sticks, slings, poison darts, and a Falling Spear mammoth trap. Wolves now hunt and fight for us. We can smoke meat now that lasts a full winter. We have snowshoes to run in heavy powder and better hunting in sectors. We have edelweiss and warmer furs, from trade with the Mountain Men. All of this and more. We must remain diligent, for our territory is rich in game, yet we trade with our neighbors instead of just killing one another. We also survived the evils of the Sabretooth. All of th
is was possible because of imagination, courage, and keeping our minds open. If you have an idea that may help the People, share it! Don’t be afraid.”
Dawn found a tanned boy’s feisty brown wolf cub merrily fetching a thrown stick. He had a brilliant white Eagle Feather in his hair, and an obsidian black knife hung on his hip. A throwing stick and dart quiver were slung over his shoulder. There was a sling and rock pouch on his belt. Papa and Emil always went first, to check the ground for snakes.
The boys of the Auroch People led their cubs into the silver-brown savannah for morning puppy training. Mama and Papa smiled. They could hear the excited barks of the cubs mixed with the laugher of the little ones.
A falcon’s shrill call caught their attention, as he dove from the heavens onto a fleeing pigeon. Emil replayed the bird strike in his mind’s eye and ran over to his parents. It seemed a single white puffy cloud was lingering overhead, just for him. Emil smiled at this.
“Papa, Papa, Papa, I got an idea—did you see how fast and straight that falcon flew when it dove? What if we attached feathers to the back of the darts—they should fly better! Right?”
The flashing white Eagle Feather danced in the young amber sunlight.
Life is hard, but beautiful.
Food for Thought
What’s the idea behind making your bed first thing every morning, and being early?
Why are strength and compassion equally important in life?
What’s the value of telling the truth in the nicest way?
What does it mean to avoid the second mistake?
How can dark humor help tough situations?
What does it mean that the only thing you can control in life is believing in yourself? Is this true? How much of life is luck?
What does the question “Is this virtue or vanity” mean?
Is bravery doing ordinary things in extraordinary circumstances?
What is the philosophy behind saying “Good” to adversity?
What does “Do good without expectation” mean?
Did you enjoy The Eagle Feather?
Would it be crazy to ask for a one or two line review?
It’s so helpful for an Indie Author.
What did you think about the story?
__ It was great, write more books!
__ It beat a sharp poke in the eye
__ Don’t quit your day job
__ Go pound sand!
I’d love to hear from you at AKVyas.com!
Website: akvyas.com
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The Eagle Feather will return in;
Winter’s Wind
Coming in 2021
Winter’s Wind
The Eagle Feather Saga Continues…
Several winters have passed since the events of The Eagle Feather. Emil, and the young Auroch boys are now on the cusp of the Trials of Manhood. The ancient rite of passage requires proof of survival skills in a savage, frigid, desolate wilderness. The boys must leave their People. If they survive, they earn the right to return home as men of their tribe.
However, the chilling Winter’s Winds have spurred something wicked in the world. An ancient merciless evil, has returned to Auroch Lands.
Life is still Beautiful, but it’s about to get a lot harder…
Coming in 2021
In Loving Memory
Bret Ryan Sommers
1972-2004
The best and brightest are taken too soon.
I’ll see you on the other side, brother.
Acknowledgements
No man goes through life, or writes a book without a great deal of help. I’m sincerely humbled by the efforts of those who saw fit to believe in this project. I’m eternally grateful to my family and friends on both sides of the Atlantic. Texas, Missouri, New York, California, and now Germany are all home for me. Everything starts and ends with all of you. When you are loved, all things are possible.
I would especially like to thank Andrew, Jayanth, and Rob. Last and certainly not least, The Eagle Feather would simply not have been possible without the steadfast support of Danny King, and the keen eye of a local artist, Ms. Fatima Sabra.
Finally, if possible, I’d like to express gratitude for experiencing the unique entrepreneurial spirit of the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s an exceptional region where young people truly believe they can change the world.
About the Author
A.K. Vyas gave early promise of being nothing special whatsoever. He was born in the small New England village best known for the witch trials, then banished to Texas at a tender age. Being annoyingly well-read for a Texan and exceptionally stubborn as a child, the smart money predicted a brief but clumsy career as a rodeo clown, while others foresaw an early death. To everyone’s intense disbelief, UC Berkeley made the mistake of admitting him, and he squeaked out a degree or two while doing silly acrobatic things in small planes. The Navy eventually decided it was safer for all parties involved if he didn’t fly jets. Like most wayward souls he ended up on Wall Street, a lifestyle interrupted from time to time by an occasional date, unless of course it was NCAA football season. (You can take a boy out of Texas, but never take Texas out of the boy.)
To date, his young family has survived two class five hurricanes, and an infatuation with TexMex cast-iron skillet recipes. Europe is currently home, and for unknown reasons, people on the street everywhere always ask him for directions. The Eagle Feather is his debut attempt at the ancient art of storytelling, and was written for his beautiful, perfect, athletic, and wonderful son.
Copyright © 2020 by Aashish K. Vyas
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except as permitted by U.S. copywrite law.
FIRST EDITION
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