“You see,” said Toniss. “The Adik’Tar is powerless without the consent of the people. Without a following, it is only a title. You have no authority here any longer.”
Toniss turned to address the crowd. “By our rules, the Leader must be of the ‘Tor line. I suggest that Norland, first son of Nox’Tor, become Adik’Tar in his father’s stead. How many are with me?”
Heads nodded, and voices agreed loudly.
Toniss turned to Nox’Tor and proclaimed, “Kah-Sol ‘Rin.”
Nox’Tor’s face contorted, and he lunged at his mother. He didn’t realize that Trak and Wosot had moved closer to him when the shouting started. They jerked him back.
They held him as he struggled and glared at Toniss. “How could you? My own mother!”
“I may be your mother, but I also carry the honor of the Mothoc blood. We are the last hope of Etera. It hurts me deeply to see it come to this, but the needs of the community have to come before one person who is so in the wrong. We cannot survive under your tyranny. But if you think it gives me any pleasure to see what has become of you, you are dead wrong,” and she turned away from him.
“You cannot do this! You do not have the right.”
“You gave us the right,” Wosot bellowed, tightening his grip on the struggling male. “When you established anarchy. When you threw out the old ways. The laws are for all of us. If they do not bind you, they do not bind us. When you dispensed with the laws, you opened the way for this.”
“What are you going to do with me?” Nox’Tor snarled.
“Do with you?” asked Wosot. “We are not going to do anything with you. You will live here with the rest of us. But you are no longer in command. No one will follow your orders. Your son will now be Adik’Tar. Make peace with your fate, as it has been brought down upon you by your own hand.”
Finally, Nox’Tor stopped struggling, and Wosot and Trak loosened their grip. He shrugged them off and stepped back from them.
“This is a mistake. You will see in time,” Nox’Tor said, pointing at them as he backed away. He took one last look at the crowd, turned, and stormed off.
Kyana stood transfixed. What just happened? Am I free of Nox’Tor? Is my oldest son now Adik’Tar? She pulled her daughters to her and wrapped her arms protectively around them. Her other son, Dotrat, remained close by.
“Norland is now Adik’Tar,” stated Dotrat.
The girls looked up at their mother, waiting for her to speak.
“Yes. Yes, he is,” she said quietly.
“Is Father no longer our father now?” asked Somnil. Kyana crouched down to their level.
“No, Father is still your father. But he is no longer my mate. And he is no longer Leader; it was too much of a burden for him. We must pray that he finds peace now. We must all pray for him, understand?” The girls nodded.
Toniss, Trak, and Pagara joined her, followed by Wosot and Lorgil. Kyana was afraid to look at Wosot for fear he would read her mind.
“What do we do now?” asked Lorgil.
“Live our lives, move forward. Things will settle down.” Kyana looked at Lorgil as she answered, her eyes begging a question.
Wosot answered, “I will accept Lorgil under my protection until such time as she chooses a new mate.”
“What does that mean?” Kyana could not help but ask.
“I will hunt for her and contribute to her wellbeing. That is all. It is difficult for a female with offling and no connection to a male.”
“So you will not be paired,” said Toniss.
“Lorgil does not wish to be paired with me,” replied Wosot, now staring directly at Kyana. “Nor do I wish to be paired with her,” he added. Kyana could no longer avoid his gaze, and her breath caught as their eyes met.
“I will help Wosot in return with gathering, mending, and tool-making,” said Lorgil. “With his generosity in providing for me, I have no need of a male. I will have my offling and no mate to answer to, which is all I ever wanted.”
“You may change your mind in time,” counseled Pagara. “You are still young, but I can see this arrangement is suitable for you both.”
Then she looked at Kyana and added, “For now.”
“Lorgil, if you wish to move in with me, I would welcome the company,” said Kyana, tearing her eyes away from Wosot’s. “My space is generous, and there is more than enough room for you and your offling. I know my daughters will welcome you.”
“I would love that. Wosot, would you help us?” Lorgil asked.
Wosot nodded, and they made their way back to Kayerm.
As they walked to Lorgil’s quarters, she turned back to look at Wosot. “Once I move in with Kyana, why not take my quarters? They are just a short way down from hers. And you would not have to sleep outside the door.”
Kyana let herself look at Wosot. “It would be more practical; it cannot be comfortable on that cold rock floor. Now that Norland will be Leader, he will not mind if you wish to switch living spaces.”
“As you wish. As soon as you are settled in, Lorgil, I will take your quarters, then.”
It seemed that a great burden had miraculously lifted, and the females smiled and chattered lightheartedly as Kyana and Wosot helped Lorgil move her few belongings.
Once Lorgil was settled in, Kyana invited Wosot to share the evening meal with them. Afterward, they all went out to the fire and joined those of the community already there. The others watched as the three came over and sat down. Before long, Pagara joined them. The smell of the fire was welcoming, and its gentle glow that bathed the circle created a feeling of community and intimacy among those there.
“You are free now,” Pagara said to Kyana.
“I never expected that to happen. I do not even know if under our laws he has the authority to set our pairing aside, but I accept it,” she admitted.
“It does not matter. Everyone heard it. No one would expect you to stay shackled to someone who would treat you like that.”
“Has anyone seen him since the meeting?” asked Lorgil.
“I have been told he left for a while but has since returned and gone into his quarters,” Wosot answered, “Do not worry, I will be vigilant.”
After the confrontation ended, Nox’Tor had angrily headed for the little cave where he had found refuge earlier. Over time, his emotions quieted, and he was able to think more clearly. He had always had too much of a temper and he had let it get the best of him. Now he had no female, and had probably scared any others away. What have I done?
Maybe in time, Lorgil or Kyana would forgive him, and one of them would return. But he had seen the way Wosot looked at Kyana, and she at him. He knew that casting her off was the stupidest thing he could have done.
Tired of the small, cold hideaway and picking a time when few would be around, he slunk back to Kayerm and into his own quarters.
Chapter 8
Rohm’Mok returned to the Deep Valley to be greeted by Deparia and Bahr’Mok. As he gently embraced his mother, he searched her face for signs of illness.
“I can see it in your face. Your father told you that I am ill,” she shook her head and stepped back. “Forgive me for not letting him tell you earlier. There was nothing you could do. Please give me good news that you and the Guardian have been paired?”
“Yes, Mother, he did. The Guardian and I have been paired,” he answered.
“Then why are you here?”
“I need to be here with you.” He looked at his brother for support.
“Your life is at the High Rocks now. You should be with your mate, at her side, not wandering around here waiting for me to die.”
“Stop. Please do not talk so. Pan and I are in agreement that my place is here with you.”
“Well, then I am going to have to hurry up and die then,” she said, smiling.
“Please, I asked you, do not joke like that,” Rohm’Mok answered.
“I am not afraid of returning to the Great Spirit; I have had a good life. I do not wi
sh to suffer, of course, but death does not frighten me.”
Deparia hooked her arm through her son’s as a moist blast of cold air came in, blowing flurries of snow about. “Come, let us get out of this drafty entrance and sit down and talk. Oragur has said I should stay warm.”
When the three of them had found a sheltered place to sit, Bahr’Mok spoke first. “I am glad you have returned, brother. Father told me that you will not accept the leadership. And we know the Akassa Leader, Lair’Mok, will refuse to take over. It is the same in all the communities; the Akassa feel it would be disrespectful to set us aside. So it will fall to me. I want you to know I respect your decision, and I welcome the leadership of the Deep Valley.”
Rohm’Mok leaned over and placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I am pleased to hear this. You will make a fine Leader.”
“Your brother and I have talked at length about it,” Deparia said. “Your father’s anger at your not accepting what he felt was your obligation was not a reflection on Bahr’Mok’s leadership abilities. Your brother will make a fine Leader. And I can move on, knowing that both of my sons are happy with the paths they have found.”
“Since you have lived with the idea of being Adik’Tar longer than I have,” said Bahr’Mok to his brother, “I would be glad for any wisdom you have gained over the years while expecting to take over.”
“I will be glad to help you. But Father has the experience, and no doubt he will begin training you—if he has not already. Besides, all the time Father was talking to me about leadership, you were the one asking the questions. You probably already know more about running the Deep Valley than I do!”
Rohm’Mok studied the way his mother was sitting. Now that he was paying attention, he could see a bit of a slump in her posture, more lines on her face than he remembered. Her body covering had lost some of its shine. He scooted closer and drew her over to lean on him.
“I love you, Mother,” he said quietly.
She patted his hand. “I know you do, and I pray that you and Pan will have a long and joyous union and produce many offling.”
Rohm’Mok wanted so much to tell her that Pan was already seeded, but he held his tongue. I hope she lives long enough for me to be able to tell her.
The three sat talking for some time until Deparia said she needed to rest. The brothers walked with her back to her quarters, where they waited for her to get settled before leaving.
When they were out of earshot, Rohm’Mok asked his brother, “How long have you known about this?”
“Do not be angry with me. I wanted to tell you, but she forbade it. She was afraid that if you knew, you would set aside your feelings for the Guardian and return.”
“That should have been my decision to make,” Rohm’Mok replied. “Do not judge her harshly. She wants more for you than she had with our father. She wants you to have the love she never had. I am not saying Father does not love her. But not like you love Pan.”
Rohm’Mok sighed and leaned his head in his hands. “Where is Father now?” he finally asked.
“He was off talking to the Healer the last I saw him.”
“I will see you at evening meal; I am going to find him.”
He found his father in the Healer’s Quarters with Oragur.
“How much time does she have?” Rohm’Mok asked, dispensing with niceties.
Oragur put down a bowl containing herbs he had been crushing. “Not long. It is good you have returned.”
Rohm’Mok glared at his father. “I am glad I did not wait too long.”
“Your father is ready to cede the leadership to you. Your mother would no doubt like to witness that before she passes. I would not delay,” the Healer said.
“I am not taking over the Deep Valley. Bahr’Mok is. I have been paired with the Guardian and am returning to the High Rocks after my mother’s passing. Bahr’Mok will take over instead.”
Oragur looked questioningly at Hatos’Mok.
“I had hoped my son would have come to his senses, but as you can see, he has not. And Bahr’Mok has spent no time in training. So the transition will have to wait.”
“You are just saying that to make me feel guilty,” Rohm’Mok said. “You could hand over the leadership to Bahr and still be at his side to counsel him. It is not uncommon. Do not rob Mother of this happiness in an effort to control me. Pan and I are paired, and I will be returning to Kthama to serve the Great Spirit at her side. Nothing is going to change that.”
Oragur spoke. “I have served as your Healer for several years now, Hatos’Mok. I have earned the right to speak frankly to you. Listen to your son. Set aside your stubbornness in this regard, and do not cheat Deparia of this last bit of pleasure. I assure you that if you do, you will regret it the rest of your days.”
“What difference does it make if she sees the ‘Mok leadership change hands?” Hatos’Mok raised his voice. “What can it matter? She is dying, and nothing will change that.”
“Deparia deserves to see that her sons’ lives will continue down a path she can visualize,” said Oragur. “No doubt hearing that Rohm’Mok has been paired with the Guardian has pleased her. I know she wanted that for him. Now she needs to see Bahr’Mok finding his place too,” said the Healer.
“By the Great Spirit,” Rohm’Mok blurted out. “You do not want to pass the ‘Mok staff to my brother because you still hope I will relent and take over here. Because once it is passed to my brother, it cannot be undone. You have heard nothing of what I have said. You saw me paired with Pan. I will not be leading the Deep Valley. I will never hold the Leader’s Staff!”
“It is you who is being selfish. The Deep Valley needs you, not your brother!”
“It is my life. I have a right to decide its path. Bahr’Mok will lead just as well as I would have. Better. If you knew anything about us at all, you would realize that. But you have been so set on getting your own way that you do not even see who he is. He is far more suited than I am.”
“What makes him the better choice?” Hatos’Mok shouted. “Give me one reason.”
“Because he wants it. Whereas I do not! And if you had any idea who either of us is, you would have known that!”
Rohm’Mok paced a few steps and turned back to his father, “How many times did you and I go on long walks together that he asked to join in? We talked about the practicalities of ruling the Deep Valley, and it was he who asked the insightful questions. It was he who instinctively knew the best course of action when you tested us with imaginary scenarios. He was the one hanging on your every word. He has wanted this all his life, whereas I never have.”
“Wanting to lead and being the best choice to lead are not the same,” his father said.
“I know that. But in this case, it is true. He is just as smart as I am. And his heart is here. Mine is not. And never will be,” Rohm’Mok said in a quieter voice.
Oragur stood watching silently. Finally, he spoke, “Your son is wise, Adik’Tar. Perhaps wiser than his father.”
“Tell Bahr’Mok not to be late to evening meal,” was all Hatos’Mok said before he turned and left.
Rohm’Mok glanced at the Healer. “Does that mean he hears me?”
“I would take that as a yes. Be patient with him; ever since you were born, he has expected you to take over.”
“And my mother. There is truly no hope for her?” Rohm’Mok asked, his voice low.
“No, there is no hope.”
Mealtime found Deparia with her mate and her sons seated at their customary table. One of the females had brought food over to Deparia, as her weakening state was now known to everyone. Bahr’Mok watched as she struggled to eat even a small amount. He looked over at Rohm’Mok seated on the other side of her, his face creased with concern. Her strength was waning quickly, and they had both realized it would not be long before she could not join them in the common eating area.
They ate quietly, all aware of Deparia’s struggle.
Finally, when much of her fo
od was gone, Hatos’Mok spoke. “It is time for you to take over leadership of Awenasa,” he said as he pushed what was left of his food around in front of him. The others silently waited, unsure of to whom he was speaking.
Then he lifted his head and looked directly at Bahr’Mok. Deparia let out a long sigh, and a smile crossed her lips.
“You will make a fine Leader, son,” she said to Bahr’Mok and reached her hand across the table to take his.
“Thank you, Mother,” he said, trying to steel himself against the flood of grief filling him at seeing how weak she was.
“And you will do well in your role at the Guardian’s side,” Hatos’Mok said to his other son. “A Leader needs a strong helpmate. I have no doubt you will be a great asset to her in that regard. But no matter how busy and demanding life becomes, always make time for each other. Do not let anything come between you. As long as you have that bond, together you can weather any storm.”
He glanced quickly at his mate. “I suggest tomorrow, after last meal, we have the ceremony for the transition of leadership.”
“Do I look that bad?” Deparia smiled as she asked.
“I keep asking you please not to joke about it,” said Rohm’Mok, taking her other hand.
“You have always been so serious. We all return to the Great Spirit at some point. My body will be discarded, but I will live on. As will my love for both of you,” she said and squeezed each of their hands as she looked at them in turn.
“You have both been my greatest blessings. I will die peacefully now, knowing that you have each found your destiny. As for you, Bahr’Mok, do not be in a hurry to pair. Promise me you will take your time in choosing a mate,” she said. “And most of all, make sure she loves you as you love her.”
“Deparia,” Hatos’Mok said and hung his head.
“Shhhhh. There is no need to talk of this. We have had a good life. I know you have loved me in your own way. And I have been honored to stand at your side. Now the mantle is passing to our sons. Let us pray they each live as rewarding a life as you and I have been fortunate to.”
The Chamber of the Ancients: Wrak-Wavara: The Age of Darkness Book Two Page 12
