For a short while, Iella was transmuted into a life lived in each moment, whether it be a joyful bounce from limb to limb, the happy discovery of a newly fallen acorn, the fresh burst of a ripe berry in his little mouth, the morning blessing of fresh dew drops on the leaves. She felt his instinct to gather and bury, to prepare for the winter. It was a stirring, an urging, not below the surface but coursing through his very body. Wordless knowing; the time is now. Do not tarry in your tasks.
Suddenly the snap of a twig startled them both, and the connection was broken. The little squirrel scurried off as fast as he could.
Iella looked up to see that Nootau had found her. “I am sorry, am I interrupting?”
She smiled at her mate, but instead of returning it, he peered at her strangely. “Is something wrong? You had a peculiar look on your face when I came up.”
“Oh. An odd experience. Not sure I can explain it. There was a little grey squirrel here. And I seemed to fall into such a state of affinity with him that it became hard to tell our minds apart. I think this must be related to what happened with Honawmato, the bear at the cave.”
“Whatever it is, I see no harm in it. It seems to me it can only turn out to be a great gift,” Nootau said, sitting down next to her.
“I am anxious to tell Urilla Wuti about it. Perhaps she will be able to teach me how to hone it. It was truly a pleasant experience, being a fat little squirrel.”
Nootau smiled. “I am sure there are also times when it is not pleasant to be a fat little squirrel.”
Iella raised her eyebrows. “Sadly, you are right.” Then she asked him, “How is your work with Urilla Wuti coming on?”
“I am not really sure. My dreams with the Guardian, Pan, and with An’Kru, seem to come unbidden.”
“What?” she gasped. “An’Kru? What are you talking about?”
“It was just like the experience I had with Pan, in a place that defies description. Only, instead of Pan, I met An’Kru. He was a grown male, and he told me not to worry about my role in taking care of him. He told me to enjoy my life with you and trust that everything was working out as it should.”
Iella frowned, concentrating on his every word.
“I will tell you, I never wanted to leave his side. I cannot explain what it was like being in his presence.”
“Does your mother know of this?” Iella asked.
Nootau let out a huge sigh. “No, I never did say anything to her. It happened at a time when I was particularly upset about us. Wanting to be with you, yet concerned I would not fulfill my duty by An’Kru. I must tell her as soon as I see her next.”
“I think you should tell Urilla Wuti too, if you have not.”
“Do you want to go and find Urilla Wuti now? It seems we both have stories to tell,” said Nootau.
Urilla Wuti listened silently as Iella and Nootau told their stories. When they had both finished, she sat quietly for a while. They knew she was thinking, pondering, considering, and they honored her silence.
Finally, she spoke. “Ever since the opening of Kthama Minor, there has been a shift in the supernatural plane. If we could talk to the Healer community, I believe we would hear more stories such as these. At the next High Council meeting, I will hold a separate conference of the Healers and Helpers. I do not have answers at present, but I suspect they are ours to discover collectively and individually as the intent of what is unfolding becomes made known.”
She rose, signaling the end of the meeting. “In the meantime, of course, I wish to continue my work with each of you.”
“But,” said Nootau. “I do not think what is happening to me has anything to do with me. I do not see it as any ability such as Iella is experiencing. The messages just come; they are not a power or a skill I can control.”
“I am not convinced of that,” said Urilla Wuti. “Oh, it may turn out to be true that you cannot force the messages to come, but I suspect you can enhance your ability to receive them. In each instance, the information you were given turned out in some way to be pivotal.”
Nootau nodded, stood, and reached out his hand to help Iella to her feet. “Thank you. We will leave you now to your other work.”
Tehya had just finished preparing a meal when Khon’Tor found his way back to their quarters.
“I did not find you in the eating area, so I thought perhaps you might wish to eat here,” she said.
He nodded and went over to inspect the meal. “You have gathered my favorite things.”
“Come; sit down and tell me about your day. I saw you speaking with Harak’Sar.”
Khon’Tor sat down before speaking. “We discussed what the future might hold.”
Tehya started picking at her food as she sat patiently, waiting for him to continue.
“And he told me something disturbing. Kurak’Kahn claims that the third female I attacked was his niece. She asked to be paired directly after the Ashwea Awhidi at which I violated her. He said she bore a child who did not resemble her mate, Berak, who then accused her of being unfaithful. She told Berak she had been Taken Without Consent, but he did not believe her. Instead, he turned violent and hurt her. Later, the mate abducted the offspring, a male, and left the community.”
Tehya abandoned her food and turned her attention fully to her mate. “How terrible for her. Please tell me the offspring has been recovered.”
Khon’Tor shook his head. “No. They searched and found no sign of him—but they are a small community with few resources. And there is more. The female’s body was found at the bottom of a ravine. It is not known if she took her own life or if her mate had something to do with it. Or it could have been an accident. But they said he had struck her before in an argument over the offspring.”
“So that explains Kurak’Kahn’s hatred; he blames you.”
“He and I; we both do,” he answered.
Tehya squeezed back the tears that were threatening to spill for her tortured mate. “I cannot release you from the prison of your self-condemnation. But if there is something—anything—I can do, please tell me what it is, and I will do it.”
Khon’Tor got up and walked away from her. “I need to search for the offspring.”
Tehya looked at him. In body, he is still the robust and virile male I paired with, but the spark is gone from his spirit. “Alone?”
He turned back to face her. “The Leaders pledged to send people from our communities to look for any sign of what happened to him. No, I would not be going alone.”
“Whatever you need to do. Do not worry about leaving me; I will be safe here. Akar’Tor is no more. My parents are here, and my brothers are in from their watch cycle. Arismae and I will be waiting for you when you return.”
Khon’Tor shook his head, “I have no idea of where to begin. They do not know where the offspring was taken. No one knows if he is even alive.”
“If you feel called to do this, then you must. I believe the guidance will come,” said Tehya firmly. Perhaps this will give his soul rest. I do not want him to go, but he cannot continue like this, filled with remorse and self-hate. Nothing seems to lift the burden from his soul, not even the horrific whipping the Overseer inflicted at Kayah’s request. “Perhaps the Overseer—perhaps Kurak’Kahn has more details he could give you. If you approached him yourself?”
“Let us hope his desire to recover the offspring is stronger than his hatred for me. I will go to him as you suggest. Now, please eat. No more talk of this type; rather tell me what you have been doing.”
Tehya tried to set the matter from her mind as she told Khon’Tor about her day with her friends, Arismae, and her parents. She told him she had started thinking again about designing wraps for the females and now, due to Nootau’s lead in adopting coverings, also had the males to consider. As she chatted on, she kept watching him and hoped she was helping to take his mind off his troubles.
Later, when they turned in, she could sense that sleep was evading him.
A few days later, Khon�
�Tor told Harak’Sar he was willing to take a group of males and start the search for U’Kail. But he would need to visit Kurak’Kahn first to see if there was any information not yet disclosed that might help them narrow down the search area. Realizing the priority of that commitment, Harak’Sar decided that Brondin’s training with Khon’Tor could wait until the mission was completed.
“Take care, Khon’Tor,” Harak’Sar warned. “Acaraho made a deal with Kurak’Kahn for his silence, but that did not change the former Overseer’s hatred of you. We did commit to providing help to find the child, and before you go, I will gather some males for the search as I promised I would do.”
Khon’Tor and Tehya shared a tender good-bye. Not knowing how long he would be gone, he studied her face for a while, gently kissed her fingertips, and promised to return safely.
With three of Harak’Sar’s best watchers and three of his guards, Khon’Tor set out for the community of the former Overseer. Knowing they would be out in the elements for an extended period, they had donned foot coverings and wraps. They also carried spears and had sharpened blades in their satchels. Though they had dried foodstuffs, they would need to hunt while they were away.
Their arrival was met with surprise as the little community did not often have visitors. They were all left waiting in the small entrance for Kurak’Kahn to appear. Time passed, and then, finally, Kurak’Kahn’s mate, Larara, arrived instead.
“Welcome, Khon’Tor.” She nodded to the others. “I am sorry, but my mate says he is not feeling well and is not up to seeing you. I felt it rude not to offer an explanation. Would you like something to eat after your journey here?”
“Perhaps in a while,” Khon’Tor said, and the other males nodded their agreement. “I will be quick in telling you why we are here. We have come to search for the offspring of your niece, Linoi. I have heard the story as relayed by your mate but wanted to speak with you both first-hand to see if there might be any details of his disappearance that were overlooked.”
Larara let out a long sigh. “I will tell you all I can, but I do not believe it will be enough to go on. Berak could have taken U’Kail anywhere, and so much time has passed. But in case there is any hope, of course, come let us sit down.”
Larara led them farther inside and told them everything she could. When she was done, Khon’Tor asked about Berak’s background.
“His family has been part of our community for generations. His parents, grandparents, are all here.”
“Would they be willing to speak with me?” Khon’Tor asked.
Larara nodded and left. Before too long, she returned with Berak’s parents. She introduced them and then deferred to Khon’Tor, who led the conversation.
He explained why he was there and asked them if they had any thoughts about where Berak might have gone.
His mother spoke up, “Berak’s life was here, with us. And with Linoi. I still cannot accept that he harmed her. But I saw her wounds, so I have to believe that he did. I know you all suspect he harmed U’Kail, but I do not believe so. As for where he would go, the only thing I can think of is that his mother’s sister was paired with a male at the Far Flats. But that is so far away. They are an isolated community, and I do not believe the People around here have ever had any contact with them. Do you think he could have taken the offspring there?”
“Based on his crimes, I suspect it. He would not be able to go to any of our local communities, as word of his identity would get through,” said Khon’Tor.
In the end, other than the statement about his possible tie to the Far Flats community, there was not much more than Khon’Tor already knew. But he thanked them, and then he and the other males took Larara up on the meal and an overnight stay.
In the morning, as the group was preparing to head out, Larara came to wish them well. “Where will you search?” she asked.
“We discussed it after we met with you,” Khon’Tor replied. “We are in agreement that he most likely headed for the Far Flats. We are going to search in that direction.”
“It will take you a while to get there,” she said, though not wanting to sound ungrateful or discourage them from their decision. “And there are so many routes Berak could have taken.”
“I know. But we will head there, and if we find any signs, we will decide whether or not to continue and send for reinforcements and supplies. Harak’Sar has assigned his best men, those who are the most sensitive to the magnetic lines. Since all our communities lie along those, once we pick up the current, we should be on the same path that Berak took.”
What Khon’Tor did not say, but what everyone knew, was that if Berak had not prepared for the journey before he left, there was little hope of his survival. The People did not do well separated from the communities, so banishment was usually a death sentence.
Larara thanked them and bade them farewell as Khon’Tor led the group of Harak’Sar’s males on the start of their journey in the direction of the Far Flats.
She returned to their quarters and addressed her mate, who was sitting in the eating area. “I still do not know why you would not speak with them. They were here to help. You could at least have come and greeted them. I cannot give up hope as you have. I cannot bear to believe he is gone forever.”
Kurak’Kahn did not look up from his seat.
“What I do not understand,” she continued, “is why you seem to resent Khon’Tor so. You would not help when that Kahrok came looking for him. You said you did not care about Khon’Tor and had washed your hands of anything to do with Kthama. And here is this group of strangers, led by the renowned Khon’Tor himself, all willing to leave their families and loved ones to try and find our grandson. What is it you are not telling me?”
Kurak’Kahn did not look at her, nor did he answer. After a while, still with no response, Larara turned and left.
Khon’Tor and the males set out in the direction of the Far Flats. The watchers would play a critical role in identifying the magnetic currents and helping them navigate both there and back. The energy vortexes were connected like a web or a series of tributaries in a river system. Since the opening of Kthama Minor—Kht’shWea—even the more subtle currents that, before, had been undetectable to them were now noticeable. Combining the watcher’s sensitivities with their knowledge of the current that snaked toward the Far Flats, they walked together in silence, looking for any sign of previous travel. It had not much chance of success, as it was some time since Berak had taken the offspring. But they were committed to trying, so they carried on without complaint. Despite the cold and the slim chance of success, it still gave Khon’Tor a sense of purpose, and for that, he was grateful.
Back at the Far High Hills, Tehya had set up a little work area in one of the empty rooms Harak’Sar had graciously let her take over. Much as in Oh’Dar’s workshop at Kthama, she and her friends would gather and discuss different ways of securing their wraps, trying to come up with new ideas. She regretted never reminding Oh’Dar to model his Waschini clothes for her when she was at Kthama. After seeing the Waschini weapon, she was sure they must have innovative clothing that she could somehow copy—if she could just get a look at it.
Tehya’s mother, Vosha, had joined them that day and was watching Arismae so Tehya could concentrate on the different hides and materials and chat with her friends, uninterrupted.
“So where is that mate of yours?” asked Dostah.
Tehya remembered that Dostah was the female who had earlier tried to reach out and touch Khon’Tor’s wraps after making complimentary statements about how he looked in them. Trying not to frown, she answered, “He is away on a mission for a while. I am not sure when he will return.”
“You must miss having him in your bed then,” Dostah twittered. “I know I would.”
Tehya could feel her mother watching her and knew that Vosha could tell she was upset by Dostah’s remarks. But the comment did make Tehya think back to the last time she and Khon’Tor had mated, which was just before he lef
t. Knowing it would be a while before they were together again, he had taken her more than once that night, and each time filled her to satisfaction.
Vosha tried to help by refocusing the group on the designs. “Go back a few to that dark piece,” she said to Tehya, who flipped the stack of materials back to a particularly dark hide. “You should set that piece aside and see if Iella might be interested in making some new wraps for Nootau. That would match his dark coloring beautifully,” Vosha said.
“I will ask her now that you thought of it,” Tehya answered.
After a while, the talk died down, and Tehya’s friends left one by one.
After the others had all left, Vosha stayed to talk to her daughter. “I am glad you have the company of other females again. But why are you letting Dostah get to you?” she asked.
Tehya rubbed her hand over her face. “Ever since we were little, I felt that she competed with me. We were friends, so I overlooked it. But now, it seems harder to do. I do not know if I am just more sensitive, or if she is bolder about it,” Tehya explained. “I do not know how to put it; it just seems as if everyone is more—either nicer and kinder, or going the other way to be less nice and less kind. I will try better to ignore it, Mama. I know it is important to get along with others.”
Vosha handed Arismae back to her. “Here, let us get you settled back in your quarters. I think you could use some company now that Khon’Tor is away. Shall we sit up and chat like we used to when you were growing up?” Tehya nodded and tucked Arismae into the sling. Mother is right; I do miss Khon’Tor so much. And I am very tired of the drama; it has been nonstop for so long. I just want everything to settle down. Perhaps when he returns, we can find our routine here and focus on being content.
The Edge of Hope: Wrak-Ayya: The Age of Shadows Book Eleven Page 5
