by Inmon, Shawn
Ganku-eh continued to stare away from Alex, apparently uninterested.
“We found a second tunnel that branched off from the first. It went deep in the ground, but we followed it down. It opened into a room that was filled with items from where I came from. One of those items was a weapon that was unimaginably powerful. I could not have used this weapon, and I don’t think Doug-ak could have either—at first. I think he knew a lot more about it than I do, though, and he could have perhaps figured out how to make it work. It wouldn’t have destroyed Kragdon-ah. Not by itself. But it would have been horrible. If he knew where more of those weapons were—and I think he might have, he could have set himself up as king of Kragdon-ah.
Ganku-eh finally turned her face back toward Alex.
“What I’m saying is, you didn’t know it, but you made the right decision. We paid a horrible price for it, but it was the right thing to do. There is no way to know what Doug-ak might have accomplished, but whatever evil it was, you stopped it.”
“You mean you stopped it,” Ganku-eh said, but Alex saw the light of hope in her eyes.
“Yes, our army stopped it. But if you had not made the decision to form that army, to take the risks we took, we never would have been in a position to do so. I have watched this decision eat at you. I cannot take the burden of the losses we suffered away. I know you mourn both Banda-ak and the lost children. We all do. But it is not your fault.”
Ganku-eh put two fingers to her forehead, and turned back to look out over the scene below her.
Alex climbed down the ladder, not knowing if he had reached her or not.
The next morning, though, he saw Ganku-eh climb to the area where people were salting meat from the last hunt.
She approached the woman who was leading the process and said, “How can I help?”
Chapter Twelve
The Binding
A Winten-ah binding ceremony was very different from the twenty-first century wedding Alex had experienced with Mindy.
That had started with the courtship.
With Mindy, Alex had met her at school, they had found each other attractive, and they had spent six months going through the dating rituals of the day—movies, eating out, meeting each other’s parents. Years later, after Alex returned from active duty, he had realized they hadn’t really known each other at all.
With Senta-eh, they had been friends long before anything else. He admired her attitude. Alex had recognized that she was beautiful, but much more importantly, he had spotted her quiet competence and confidence. He watched her interact with others. And of course, he had stood back to back with her in many life and death situations. Alex was confident that they knew each other.
Alex and Mindy’s wedding had been a big affair. The planning had lasted a full year. Much thought and energy was expended on the proper invitations, the location of the ceremony, the flowers, and Mindy’s dress.
Planning for Alex and Senta-eh’s binding ceremony was almost non-existent. Alex had sent word with one of the warriors who led a contingency to the salt deposit, asking Harta-ak and Versa-eh if they could make it to Winten-ah for a few days.
Sekun-ak authorized another hunting party to the ocean to get a single karak-ta egg. He was concerned about over-harvesting the eggs, but the Winten-ah believed that a feast with the ingesting of the psychotropic egg was a necessary part of the ceremony.
The biggest surprise occurred just a few days before the binding ceremony was to take place. The lookouts trumpeted word that someone who was a friend was approaching. This was always cause for everyone to drop what they were doing and stand staring out at the forest, waiting to see who would appear.
In this case, it was a young man who was not as tall as a typical Kragdon-ah. He was riding one of the oversized Shetland ponies that Alex and Senta-eh had been given in Tonton-ah the previous year. And, he was not alone. A tiny child also rode the same horse, sitting in the rider’s lap.
Alex didn’t recognize the rider until he hit the field in front of the cliffside.
“Reggie!” Alex shouted, pleased to see the vagabond musician from his own time. He caught himself, remembered that he had used his English name, and said, “Untrin-ak!”
Reggie raised a hand in greeting.
The Winten-ah children ran toward him, encircling the horse that was so different from the horses in Winten-ah. The horse plodded on, unperturbed.
Alex and Senta-eh ran to greet him. When he reached Reggie, Alex realized that he and the child were alone.
“Where is Verda-eh?” Alex said, recalling the name of the girl Reggie had settled down with.
“This is Tinka-eh,” Reggie said, instead of answering the question directly.
Senta-eh reached out for the child and Reggie handed her over. Tinka-eh was as adorable as any child could ever be. She had huge dark brown eyes, cheeks that would have looked at home on a chipmunk, and an oversized halo of curly black hair.
Senta-eh looked seriously at Tinka-eh and said, “You two did good.”
“Verda-eh did all the hard work,” Reggie said, finding his smile when he looked at his child.
“What happened?” Alex asked.
“Something’s happening. Mothers have started dying in childbirth. In the last year, we’ve had fourteen babies born. Eight of the mothers died, including Verda-eh.”
“We heard the same thing in Rinta-ah,” Alex said, concern etched on his face.
“I came through there again on the way here. They gave me a ride across the river. I met your friends Harta-ak and Versa-eh, too. They had to complete a few tasks, then they said they were coming here for your ceremony. Congratulations.” Reggie glanced at Senta-eh. “At least congratulations to you, Manta-ak. My condolences to you, Senta-eh.”
That momentarily broke the spell of sadness that hovered over them and they walked toward the cliffside.
“We’ll take care of your horse for you, until you’re ready to go again. What are you doing now? Back to the wandering lifestyle?”
“I honestly don’t know. It’s not great, trying to keep a child safe in this wilderness, but I just couldn’t stay in Tonton-ah anymore. Everywhere I looked, I saw signs of the life we had planned, things that reminded me of Verda-eh. I decided to come here and see if you were successful in your quest to retrieve The Chosen One. Your friend Versa-eh told me some pretty crazy stories. Something about you single-handedly burning down a city?”
“You know how stories are,” Alex said. “The more often it gets told, the less like the reality it is. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Sekun-ak, our chief. We’ll find a place for you to stay.” An idea occurred to Alex. “Hey, would you sing a song for us at our ceremony?”
“I will give you the fellow time traveler discount,” Reggie answered. “I’ll trade a song for room and board over the next few days.”
Alex looked up to see at least ten of the Winten-ah women heading straight for them, smiling, and already holding their arms out for Tinka-eh.
“I don’t think you’ll have a hard time finding childcare while you’re here.”
HARTA-AK AND VERSA-eh arrived the next day. The hunting expedition returned with their single karak-ta egg, and it felt like the time was right for the binding ceremony.
The ceremony was held at the base of the cliffs in the golden hour just before sunset. Long shadows crisscrossed the meadow and a soft breeze blew.
Both Senta-eh and Alex wore the same clothes they did every day, though Senta-eh did wear a spray of wildflowers in her hair.
When it was time for the ceremony to start, the entire tribe gathered around in a circle, leaving just enough room for the two of them to pass. Once they entered the circle, that closed as well and their friends and family surrounded them. The members of the tribe laid their hand on the shoulders of the people beside them and everyone swayed right, then left, and on and on. It gave the impression of a wave of humanity surrounding Alex and Senta-eh.
Sekun-ak stood directly in front
of them. He took a long piece of leather and wrapped it loosely around both their hands.
“We do not tie the knot tight, because the strength of the binding is the commitment you make to each other. If each of you stands forever for the other, nothing but death can ever separate you. Do you agree?”
Senta-eh, her expression as calm and placid as ever, stared into Alex’s eyes. “I agree and I will never leave you until I am taken away.”
Alex Hawk, soldier, warrior, killer of men, felt his eyes begin to leak. He struggled to find his voice while his throat grew thick. He said, simply, “I will never leave you.”
A riotous cheer went up from those assembled around them and the circle closed in, enveloping them, making them one more part of the whole.
Standing on the lowest level of the cliffs, baby Tinka-eh sitting on the ground beside him, Reggie strummed his lute-like instrument. In the universal language of Kragdon-ah, he sang Wedding Song (There is Love).
Alex would have never guessed Reggie knew that song. As he listened to the haunting lyrics, staring at the woman he had just pledged his life to, he knew he would never forget this moment.
After the song was finished, everyone dispersed, ready to feast.
The tribe reconvened in the largest cave at the top of the cliffside. A dozen torches gave off a warm and crackling light in the dusk. The tribe’s cooks brought out all the delicacies they had been saving and everyone ate until they could eat no more.
Sekun-ak stood and addressed the assembled Winten-ah and guests.
“More than seven Summer Solstices ago, Manta-ak dropped into our laps. It was not an auspicious beginning.”
A few of the warriors who had been along on that first day when Alex had been captured chuckled softly.
“But now, he is one of us. Our brother. And Senta-eh, our strength, our warrior, our beauty. We are so fortunate to have you both as part of our family. As many of you know, Manta-ak came from somewhere else. Because of that, he is shy about his natural habits.”
Alex felt himself blush. He closed his eyes and waited for the moment to pass.
“We want you to have something. We want you to have a home of your own. The Winten-ah are not builders, but we are strong, fast, and we can learn. I am giving you a space of your own at the base of the cliff. Starting tomorrow, after the effects of the karak-ta egg has worn off—”
More laughter spread in anticipation.
“—I will assign five brothers and sisters to you, Manta-ak, to help you build your own home. You will design and build it, but we will give you the best spot we have, and these men and women will work with you until your home is complete.”
Alex was overwhelmed with this gift. For the second time in a few hours, his throat tightened, and he found it difficult to speak. Finally, he managed to say, “Thank you,” and gratefully sat back down.
While the wooden plates were carried away, Lanta-eh and Sekun-ak started their chant and the karak-ta egg was distributed to everyone.
Alex and Senta-eh had talked about it and both decided that on this night, they both wanted to keep their full faculties about them. So, they took a ceremonial first bite, but actually swallowed almost none of the egg. Then, they acted as servers, carrying the cooked egg to everyone.
When they came to Reggie, he passed as well. He didn’t want to take a trip with Tinka-eh beside him.
As was custom, they served Lanta-eh and Sekun-ak last.
Alex noticed that Lanta-eh took a much-larger-than-normal piece of the egg, but didn’t think much of it.
He still hadn’t accepted her as The Chosen One, but she had proven time and again that when she was around, miraculous things happened. He figured she could take care of herself.
The newly bound couple acted as hosts, making sure that everyone who needed it was helped to the floor and made comfortable.
When the rest of the tribe was tuned out and turned on, Alex and Senta-eh slipped off to the small cave set aside especially for them for the night.
They had been patient with each other for three years.
It was worth the wait.
Chapter Thirteen
Asleep
The next morning, Alex and Senta-eh emerged from the private cave—the Kragdon-ah version of the honeymoon suite—like it was any other day. The people they ran into did the same—“Gunta, Manta-ak, Senta-eh,”—though they may have smiled while they said it. Many things about human behavior are universal.
It had begun to grow light, and people were scurrying around the big gathering room, clearing food and plates. Here and there, a few people who had absorbed a bit too much of the karak-ta egg were just sitting up, happy but groggy.
Alex was not too surprised when he saw that Lanta-eh had not stirred. He kneeled beside her and checked her pulse, which was steady. Her skin was cool to the touch and her face was calm.
“I’ve never seen her take so long to come out of it,” Senta-eh observed.
“I noticed she took a big piece last night. I’m sure she’ll be fine. I’ll carry her to her sleeping room.”
Alex picked Lanta-eh up and carried her to the room she shared with her sisters. She might be The Chosen One, but in Winten-ah, no one had private quarters.
Except, perhaps for Alex and Senta-eh if they got their small cottage built.
He ran into Niten-eh in the passageway and asked her to check in on Lanta-eh during the day to make sure she was all right.
The world of Kragdon-ah looked slightly different to Alex on this morning. For the previous seven years, he had woken up, wondering if or when he was going to be able to go home. On this morning, he knew it was not possible, but he had Senta-eh at his side. Thoughts of Amy would never leave him, but he knew he needed to commit to this life now. He could no longer live in two worlds.
Alex and Senta-eh walked to the bottom of the cliffside and found Sekun-ak waiting for them.
“Would you like to see where you can build your shelter?”
Alex heard the pride in his voice. “Of course, brother. This is the greatest gift I could ask for.”
Sekun-ak waved the praise away. “This is a small thing. Your greatest gift came when she decided to wait for you,” he glanced at Senta-eh, who pointedly ignored him, “no matter how long you took.”
Sekun-ak led him to a spot on the southern end of the cliff, ten strides away from the natural rock pool. The cliff cut back in at that spot, so whatever Alex built would have rock behind it and on at least half of two other sides. Almost instant access to the clean water source was even better.
“Will this be good?”
Alex put his arm on Sekun-ak’s shoulder. “This is the perfect spot. It’s more than I deserve.”
“We wanted to show you our thanks for all you have done for us. If we had attacked Denta-ah without you, I do not think the battle would have gone the same. I can’t think of anyone who could have brought Lanta-eh home besides the two of you. This is a small thank you.” Sekun-ak waved his hand. Behind him, five Winten-ah stood, grinning. “This is your work crew. Don’t take it too easy on them.”
Alex looked them over. Four men and a woman. Three of the men were young—one was only a few years older than Werda-ak, Alex judged. The other man, called Tranta-ak, was older, with a heavily lined face. The woman looked like so many Winten-ah—tall, straight posture, and piercing brown eyes. They all looked lean and strong and ready to work.
Sekun-ak took his leave and Alex and Senta-eh faced their workers. “We need to start with wood. We will need lots of it. Grab your axes and I will show you what kind of trees we will need to take down.”
When they left, Senta-eh said, “Do you know how to build our house?”
“Well, I’ve never done it before, but when have I ever let that stop me?”
When his crew returned, Alex saw that Harta-ak and Reggie were with them. Reggie carried Tinka-eh on his shoulders.
“We didn’t have a gift to bring you to commemorate your ceremony,” Harta-ak sa
id, “so Versa-eh decided I should take a few days to help you. I am your gift.” He showed Alex a saw, a sharp axe, and a strong hammer he had brought with him from Lasta-ah. “I think these will help.” He leaned in close and said, “The Winten-ah are a wonderful people, beautiful and friendly, but their tools are not good.”
Alex looked at Reggie.
“I want to help, too. It would feel good to do some real work for a change, as long as we can find someone to watch Tinka-eh.”
Alex glanced around and saw five women hovering in the background, smiling, waiting to be asked. “I don’t think we’ll have any problem finding someone to watch her.”
One of the women considered that an invitation and hurried in and scooped up Tinka-eh, hurrying away with her. The toddler did not seem upset in the slightest to be taken away. She smiled and waved, showing many gaps between her first teeth.
Alex led them out to the forest, where he showed them the type of trees he wanted. He had considered building with fir, but finally decided to go with cedar. He loved the smell and knew the logs would be easy to strip of their bark. He wanted mature trees, but not too big.
The structure he envisioned was modest, perhaps twelve feet by fifteen feet. Enough room for the bed he intended to build them, another bed for Monda-ak, a wash basin, and room for enough chairs that they could have a few people in to visit with them. He had built a few chimneys and fireplaces in his day and he wanted to have a large river-rock fireplace take up most of one wall so they would be warm in the harshest storm.
They spent most of the day in the forest, marking trees and felling a few of them, then delimbing. It was hot, tiring work, but it made Alex’s heart sing.
When he had stepped through the door in his basement, it had been his insatiable curiosity of what lay beyond that drove him. He had paid a heavy price for that curiosity, but he had been rewarded with epic adventures. A wild new country, loyal friends, breathtaking risks, and finally, Senta-eh, who he knew was the true love of his life. It was not a trade he ever would have chosen to make, because he would never have abandoned Amy, but now that it had been forced upon him, he was content.
