by J. H. Hayes
Azerban cautiously made his way to the shelter where the dead man lay and stood over him, anger welling inside. He glanced briefly into the burning enclosure. The thatched roof had fallen into the mud-brick walls and lit fire to the combustible contents inside. He thought he should try to extinguish the flames, but knew it was more important to drive out the Kebar invaders and stop them from torching anything else. He looked to the next burning structure, searching carefully for Kebar as he continued on. Out of nowhere, Yumineh charged past him, her spear raised. That girl has no fear, he thought. She’ll come to an early end. "Yumineh!" he yelled. But she either didn't hear him or chose not to. He followed after her, wondering if she would lead him to his death also. Dogahn soon caught up to him and matched his pace. Azerban wanted to reprimand him and send him back to the safety area, with the women and children. But then he remembered they weren’t really children anymore. They were hunters now. He nodded to the boy as they ran.
He heard yells just to the east, toward the river and past several more pillars of smoke. Azerban and Dogahn followed Yumineh toward them. The area was covered in a dense haze. He spotted Dizon, their fiercest warrior, positioned slightly behind a burning shelter, more exposed than Azerban thought wise. That man is fearless also. His family always has been. Dizon was sending spears randomly into the smoky cloud. It seemed a haphazard strategy, but Azerban trusted the man knew what he was doing. With the growing gray cloud, Azerban doubted Dizon's spears were hitting anything, but certainly they were helping drive the Kebar back.
"Dizon!" Azerban said as he approached from behind. The hulking man turned on him with a spear raised. Fire blazed in his eyes and for a moment Azerban tasted his own fear.
But then a frenzied smile flashed across the giant man's face and he nodded in acknowledgment before turning back around. "Ta'araki! Welcome!" Dizon said.
"Is anyone hurt, Dizon?"
"Not that I know of," he grunted, letting loose another spear. "Except a couple dead Kebar, but I guess that doesn't count for hurt," he added with a deep chuckle.
"That's good," Azerban said. "I think they’re retreating further back. We should advance our position."
Dizon nodded with another wide grin.
"We'll go together, Dizon. You take the left flank and I'll be to your right. Dogahn and Yumineh, trail behind and keep an eye on our sides. If any Kebar try to swing in behind us, our lives will depend on you two."
They nodded and the men started off at a slow gate. Their visibility was completely compromised, but they met no resistance as they made their way through. Dizon increased his pace as his frustration grew. As the dense smoke began to ebb Azerban could make out a scattering of Natu hunters launching spears into the woods. They ran to them and caught glimpse of the last of the Kebar invaders disappearing into the cover of the forest.
Dizon took off, intent on chasing them down. Several Natu joined him, including Dogahn and Yumineh.
"Stop, Dizon," Azerban called out. "It’s over."
"No, Ta’araki! We can run them down and pick them off one by one," Dizon said. "They must pay for this attack. Look at the destruction they've caused." He pointed to the many still burning shelters.
"They will pay soon enough, Dizon. But for now we are needed here. These fires must be put out, or they may spread. We must form a water line from the river." Azerban could see Dizon disagreed and was on the verge of defying his command. He decided to change his strategy. "Dizon, take some men and make sure Boar Camp is secure. There may still be Kebar lingering around. Notify me immediately if you find any injured, unless you find another healer first."
The possibility he might still have a chance to run his spear through something was enough to convince Dizon to obey. He took three men and led them back into the smoke cloud. Azerban quickly surveyed the hunters who were left with him. "Yumineh, go down to the river and tell them to start a water line. Tell them the battle is over and there is work now to be done. Dogahn, go to Sunset Hill. Make sure there are no wounded. Send the uninjured back here to help extinguish these fires."
"Ta'araki! Ta'araki!" Just then, a young hunter came running up to them, trembling with excitement. "We've found an injured Kebar! We have a captive!"
---
An impromptu gathering was held that evening to discuss the Kebar attack, but also to relieve the lingering anxiety the invasion had produced. Repairing the damage inflicted would wait until the next sun. Those who lived in the burned shelters would sleep with loved ones or friends or in traveling tents. In crisis, the Natu always gathered together as a community, making sure none were left without food, shelter and comfort. Hunters held guard vigil on the outskirts of Boar Camp throughout the night to protect against any further attacks. Runners were also sent to the closest Natu camps to inform them of the Kebar ambush. Three Kebar were killed and two Natu injured, one of them seriously. The dead Kebar were wrapped in old furs and dropped just inside what was generally considered Kebar territory, as was custom. They could proceed with their dead however they wished. The Ta'ar did not come to them and teach them of the proper way to release the spirit. To the Natu, this made them a lesser people. It didn't matter what the uncivilized peoples did with their deceased. The captured Kebar was tended to and provided ample food and water. He was kept tied up in one of the storage shelters, where hunters were assigned watch duty over him.
The nature of the attack was particularly troublesome, as it differed from previous encounters. In the past, skirmishes generally consisted of a group of brash, young hunters set on gaining glory. Because both Kebar and Natu had hordes of territorial dogs roaming through their camps, it was difficult for even the stealthiest hunters to get anywhere near a rival camp. They would have to kill all the dogs first, an impossible feat not helped by the high grasses in the area. The offenders always brought a group of their own canines to counteract the defending camps’ four-legged guardians. The skirmishes therefore always turned into a swarm of fighting dogs with opposing hunters standing on either side lunging spears at each other. There were very few injuries and almost none were ever killed. Because the attackers were always so outnumbered, the whole interaction never lasted very long.
Both Kebar and Natu had been attacking each other in this way for as long as anyone could remember, even when they were closer and traded regularly. It was more a game than anything, one which wasn’t encouraged by their elders, but tolerated. If someone was killed or seriously injured, negotiations would ensue, apologies offered and reparations made.
The most recent Kebar attack was wholly different however. They had added a new tactic, one which, because it was unexpected, worked. The Kebar had set their dogs off on the western side of Sunset Hill as usual, but instead of staying around to cast a few spears, they snuck southeast around Boar Camp knowing the opposing hunters would be racing west to meet their canines and the women and children would be herded north toward the river, leaving the southern flank completely unguarded.
They hadn’t counted on Azaria’s scream however. As the details of the attack were pieced together it soon became clear Azaria’s bravery had prevented the Kebar from inflicting heavier damage. She was recognized for her part in the defense of Boar Camp, although she didn’t think she deserved it. The other hunters who drove the Kebar off were also honored, including Dogahn and Yumineh.
With the discussions finished and the chaos of everyone moving about to find drink, food or friends, Azaria had the opportunity she was waiting for to make her way unnoticed back to her shelter. She hadn’t wanted to attend in the first place. The acknowledgment she received embarrassed her. She felt others had done much more and disliked being singled out. In her eyes, all she did was scream and fall and run. There was nothing courageous about that.
She was nearly out of sight when a tug on her arm spun her around. Daneel’s smile was mischievous. "Azaria! Where are you going? You're going to stay out for a while aren't you?"
Azaria smiled back, but shook her head, "N
o. Uhh... I don't think so. I uhh... need to get back to mother."
"Oh, come on, Azaria!" Daneel pleaded, "Zephia's getting better. She'll be fine for a little bit. Stay with me for a while. Your friends miss you!"
She felt bad disappointing her, especially since Daneel had been so diligent about staying with her the last few nights. But Azaria had little desire to stay, even long enough to greet friends. "Daneel, I just don't feel-"
"Oh no..." Daneel interrupted, "Don't look now, but here he comes."
"Who?" Azaria asked, swinging her head around despite the warning. She saw Luzon lumbering toward them with a clumsy smile. She felt an urge to move out of his path before he flattened her.
"Big brains!" Daneel said. "Why won't he leave me alone?"
Azaria turned back to face her and whispered quickly, "So you don't like him anymore?"
"Shh!" Daneel hushed. "Here he comes - you can feel the ground shaking..."
"Daneel!" Luzon boomed. "Let's fill our fists." He reached past Azaria without acknowledging her and took hold of Daneel's wrist.
"Luzon! I'm talking with Azaria. What's the matter with you?" Daneel said.
"Oh, yeah... Hey, Azaria. Sorry I was out hunting this morning. I would’ve protected you."
Luzon's awkward smile made her uneasy. "Uhh... That's okay, Luzon."
"Daneel, let's go," he repeated.
"Wait! I told you I'm talking with Azaria."
"Well... let's fill our fists and you can talk with her after that. Come on, Azaria."
Azaria looked to Daneel, wondering how she'd get rid of him, but Daneel was staring back at her, pleading silently, clearly hoping Azaria would come. Azaria was confused. Does she want to go with Luzon or not? Caught in a battle of wills, she stared back, waiting for her friend to answer him first.
"Hi Azaria. Hi Daneel. Hi Luzon," another voice broke the silence.
Azaria turned and saw Yumineh standing behind her. That's just great, she muttered to herself.
"Azaria, I was wondering if I could talk to you," Yumineh said.
"Uhh... sure. I guess..." Azaria answered, wondering what Yumineh could possibly want to talk to her about, unless of course she'd thought of more insults. Azaria looked at Daneel, hoping for some insight into what Yumineh was planning.
"We'll meet you two by the poison table, okay Azaria?" Daneel pleaded one last time. "Come on, Luzon."
Left alone, Yumineh continued, "I want to apologize for everything that happened."
Azaria stared at her in disbelief. An apology? Is she kidding? "Okay..." she answered. She wanted nothing more than to lay her fist into Yumineh's pretty face and make her good eye match the off one.
"Sorry," Yumineh repeated.
"I have to go, Yumineh. Mother's waiting for me."
"Okay. I understand. I know you're angry with me. I was just hoping we could be friends again... since I'll be staying with Boar Camp this winter."
"What?" Azaria blurted out. She'd assumed Yumineh would be leaving soon to join Fox Camp at their wintering spot. Was she saying she'd be traveling with them instead? To Winter Cave? For the whole winter? A crushing wave of panic tore through her heart. She hadn’t realized it before, but she discovered she’d been harboring hopes of reconciling with Dogahn, although her anger with him had not yet abated. With Yumineh wintering with them, that would likely be impossible.
"Well, yeah. I'll be staying with Malena," Yumineh answered. As Azaria stared at her, her mouth agape, not yet able to process this new information, she noticed a vicious smirk growing on the other girl's face. "I mean, why would I go back to Fox Camp? Since Dogahn and I are promised now, right?"
Yumineh's pronouncement hit her harder than the Kebar spear could have, only it was a blunter impact, smashing directly into her chest. Azaria was forced back a step and then another, her cheeks tingling hot with rage and fear. Her head throbbed and the skin below her eyes quivered. She turned around, not wanting Yumineh to see her break. She stood still for a moment, and then thrust her chin upward and her shoulders back and took a step forward. And then another step, and another, without answering or even looking back. As she reached her mother's furs, she’d already regained control.
To her great relief, Zephia was already asleep when she entered. Azaria crawled beneath the furs and wrapped an arm around her. As she lay in the dark she willed herself to master her tears. But she couldn't help the same thought circling through her head.
I hate her!
---
The following dawn was met with a bustle of activity in Boar Camp. Those who lived in the damaged shelters were busy salvaging their personal possessions and cleaning out their wrecked hearths. And those who hadn't been directly affected helped by gathering branches, straw, large leaves - anything of use in temporarily thatching the lost roofs. Once enough material was gathered and the shelters cleared out, the roofs were rebuilt. They didn't need to be permanent, only sturdy enough to keep the warmth in. During the next new moon, the weight of the early snows would collapse all the roofs of Boar Camp anyway. But they would already have left, safely comfortable within the protective walls of Winter Cave.
Azaria divided her efforts between tending her mother and gathering thatching materials with Quzo. She would’ve liked to help Malena and Azul rebuild, but knew Yumineh would be there. Instead, she brought the gathered materials to the closest burned shelter. The busy morning kept her mind off the disturbing revelations she'd received the previous evening.
Azerban helped them until he was called to a special meeting. He swept aside the flaps of Takur's shelter, not bothering to announce his arrival. Several were already gathered, including the Kebar captive, who was sitting on the ground with his ankles tied and his hands behind his back. The captive eyed him wearily as he entered and Azerban returned the favor, sizing the man up. He noticed he was hardly older than a boy, fully grown, but lacking any of the lines of character that came with age. He had a high forehead and a strong jaw. His hair was black and worn long. Azerban was surprised the young man looked so familiar. If you wash away his war paint and put him in proper Natu clothing, he could be one of us. He didn't know why this should be so surprising. He'd seen them before, after all. He remembered back to when he was a small boy, accompanying his father and other elders on trading trips to different Kebar camps. Difficulties between the two peoples were much rarer back then, even if the Natu still regarded them as their lessers. He wondered what had driven them so far apart in the intervening winters.
"Ah, you've arrived, Azerban," Takur welcomed him. "Very good. As soon as Sakon and Asek arrive we will question the boy."
Azerban nodded. The relationship between the two had grown less frosty since Dolaria and Disjad departed. Takur had made Zephia's recovery a personal priority. Azerban appreciated it and was happy there was less hostility in Takur's voice than there had once been. His eyes met Hadir's, who was sitting with his legs crossed under him. He put a hand on the younger man's shoulder, "Hadir, how has our guest been behaving?"
"Well enough, Ta'araki," he responded. "He seems resolved to his fate."
Azerban heard voices from outside and turned around to greet the newly arrived. Takur welcomed three men in. Daneel's father, Asek - a bronzed, middle-aged man with well-defined muscles. Sakon, father of Luzon and Dizon, followed him in. In his prime, he'd been almost as giant as his eldest son. However, he'd lost muscle mass to old age and no longer stood straight. Dizon came in behind him, towering over everyone. Azerban was curious as to why Sakon brought him. Asek and Sakon were often invited to important meetings, as they were the closest thing Boar Camp had to non-Ta'araki leaders. Boar Camp differed from the other Natu camps in this respect, as most had defined Ta'araki and non-Ta'araki leaders. Sakon had long ago proven himself a great hunter and brave defender and had led countless successful hunts. Asek was a well-respected hunter too, but also possessed an innate ability with people. As a Master Trader, he also spoke several languages, including Kebar. Both Sakon and As
ek had high status. Dizon, on the other hand, had shown little in the way of leadership skills, although he was generally accepted as Boar Camp's fiercest hunter. Azerban guessed Takur felt Dizon's significant role in driving the Kebar from Boar Camp had earned him a place at this gathering. He wondered if Ta’araki intended to hear his voice when decisions were made.
Takur must have guessed what was on his mind, or anticipated his curiosity. "I’ve asked Dizon to join us. I thought he might have an advantageous impression on our guest when we ask our questions," he explained.
Azerban nodded with a smile. He could see his elder's point.
"Asek, given your skill with their words, I’ll let you ask our questions and interpret," Takur said.
"Of course, Ta'araki. What would you have me ask him?"
"Ask him his name, Asek."
Asek lowered himself in front of the Kebar and pulled out his flint knife. The terror in the young man's eye was obvious, but he quickly mastered it, holding his chin up defiantly. Asek cut the cord around the man's ankles, freeing his legs. He next lifted him up and slipped the knife back into his waist band. Thumping his chest, he stated his name and then spoke a few halting words mostly incomprehensible to the rest of the observers. The Kebar stared at him for a moment. Azerban guessed he was surprised to hear him using his words. The captive slowly turned his head away, refusing to answer. Asek repeated the exercise, asking the Kebar his name. When the man refused again, Asek grew angry. He repeated the question once again, raising his voice.
The Kebar spit in his face.
"This may be a long night," Takur laughed. "Asek, step away from him. Dizon, why don't you see if you can motivate him?"
Azerban sighed. It wasn't a good start.
Dizon stepped up to the man, displaying his full height. Azerban could see the Kebar cower. He doubted the boy had ever seen anyone so large. Dizon looked down at him and stuck his finger into his own muscled chest, "Dizon!" Then he poked the captive's chest with the same finger. The man looked away defiantly, although there was again terror in his eyes. At least he has the good sense not to spit on Dizon, Azerban thought.
