Azaria

by J. H. Hayes

  "It is good to look into your old eyes again too, Ta'araki," responded a junior Ta'araki from Lion Camp whose name eluded Azerban. "But I'm curious as to what trouble you’ve brought us." Azerban inwardly flinched at the man's sarcastic tone, but was pleased to be reminded that Takur's influence had its limits.

  Takur glared at the impertinent speaker, but chose not to respond in kind. He didn't want to start this meeting off with angry words. "It’s true that unfortunate circumstances greet us. We have much to discuss. As you can all see for yourselves, we've been attacked." He waited as those gathered affirmed the fact with acknowledging grunts and nods. "This is not the first occurrence. I'm sure you are all aware, but for those who aren't, last autumn, as the frozen moons neared, Boar Camp suffered a full scale attack."

  Takur looked out and was met with an audience of stoic stares. "Let me be clear, this was not one of the typical skirmishes many of our camps have endured. This was well planned. The Kebar set their dogs loose on our western side, while they swung around and attacked our unguarded southern side. Skirmishes have always served to test a camp’s strength... and for the hunters to gain a little glory. I’m sure many men here can testify to the thrill of rushing forward, casting a spear and then retreating back while dodging a salvo of enemy spears."

  He was interrupted by a flurry of acknowledging grunts. "And a few women!!" shouted a broad woman from the back, one of the junior Ta’araki from Leopard Camp.

  "Ha! And a few women, Ajia kindly reminds me. Who can forget her skill with the spear!? It’s what the young do and has never been regarded seriously. But this attack was different, was designed to inflict the most possible damage. Many of our shelters were burned and some of our hunters wounded. Azerban's own daughter faced off with the leader and only narrowly escaped harm."

  "Your daughter, Ta'araki?" the Lion Camp man who’d spoken earlier interrupted again, directing his question to Azerban, but now sans the harsh tone.

  "It is true, Meltek," Azerban responded evenly, finally remembering his name.

  "Is she not the one we’ve heard about? The one Boar Camp calls Bird-Runner?" Meltek said.

  Azerban sighed. "She doesn't prefer that particular moniker, but yes, she is the same," he acknowledged.

  "Ahh. It seems your daughter has a penchant for trouble." As a few laughed at his characterization, Meltek continued, "How old is your little one now anyway? Her face evades me."

  Takur's anger grew as Meltek continued to interrupt, but he let the conversation proceed a little longer. Azerban wondered why Takur tolerated the lowly Lion Camp Ta'araki's disruption. Perhaps his status had grown since he'd last seen him. Certainly his confidence had. "She's seen fifteen winters now," Azerban said, allowing a slight annoyance to build in his voice.

  Meltek might have detected it, for he ended abruptly, "Very good, Ta'araki. Give her my best, and your other child as well. I beg forgiveness for the interruption, Ta'araki. Please continue."

  Takur was somewhat startled at having been directed so boldly by the Lion Camp man. He too had noticed his newfound confidence and was curious as to how it arose, wondering if this was a man he should pay more attention to in the suns ahead. "Yes, as I was saying," he continued, "we have suffered many attacks over the seasons from the Kebar. We have mostly tolerated them. Last summer in fact, after the attack on our camp, we captured one of their men. In good faith Azerban negotiated and eventually we released him, unharmed and in good health. We hoped a new sun had arrived in our relationship with them, but what you see here in front of you has put that promise of peace to rest. There can be no ignoring this evidence. We must respond."

  Murmurings rose up. Azerban watched the different reactions carefully, and saw mostly nods of agreement. Only a few showed some objection in the way they held themselves. His hope for avoiding full scale hostilities rested with those few, but was withering.

  One of those not nodding her head was a junior Ta'araki from Wolf Camp. Azerban remembered her well - a short, plump woman with a rather plain face. She’d always seemed nervous about something or other. He was surprised when she spoke up, as he recalled her usual preference to hide in the shadows. Perhaps she'd taken lesson from Meltek's overstepping his place without consequence. "Ta'araki," she said. "It seems the problem is Boar Camp's. No one else has experienced any major trouble from the Kebar."

  Her comments evoked consternation among the group. Some seemed to take her point and looked to Takur for his counter argument. Others shook their heads in disagreement or voiced a grunt of disapproval.

  Azerban didn't expect Izyl to speak for Takur. "That is not completely true, Siryah," she said. "There have been other occurrences. Some of our women have been harassed over the seasons and even some raped. Some of our young men have been bloodied up too. And of course the young couple who disappeared from Swan Camp several summers ago never turned up."

  "That is true, Izyl," Siryah responded. "However, there’s no evidence the Kebar had anything to do with that disappearance, as tragic as it is. They may simply have been swept away by a strong current, or devoured by cave lions or hyenas, their bones scattered wide and far. Disappearances are not that unusual. Nor is the occasional rape or beating. All the camps have suffered such cowardly attacks - and not only from outsiders. Our own men have been accused by our women. Aggression is becoming more and more common it seems. These new generations have little respect for the Great Mother, or for the old ways. But that is a complaint that can wait until later. My point is that I don't see anything unusual happening to any of the other camps that would provide justification for significant action against the Kebar."

  Azerban was impressed with the middle-aged woman of Wolf Camp. Many had also been swayed, nodding their heads in concurrence. Her argument was sound and convincing. But he knew it had one deep flaw, which Takur was quick to stress. "Siryah, normally I would agree to your most reasonable points. However, I bid you turn around and look again at the evidence before you. This is not Boar Camp which has been attacked. This is an aggression against all of us, against every camp. It is an affront against all Natu. Can you deny that point? Does what you see in front of you not sway you? All of you. Look at it. What possible justification can excuse this vile act?"

  Those who had nodded agreement to Siryah's arguments now stayed mute, their heads bowed. Azerban had one other objection to make, but hoped someone else would make it, wary of always being the one opposing Takur.

  "I take it by your silence then," Takur continued, "that everyone here agrees we must respond to this provocation."

  Disappointed, Azerban began to speak, but at the last possible moment, Izyl spoke instead, "There is a valid justification for their actions, Ta'araki."

  Sudden murmurs echoed through the gathering as all eyes again turned to her. "And what would that be, Izyl?" Takur gazed at her harshly, but responded softly, resigned to hearing the words he knew she would speak.

  Izyl explained, "This drawing on the fallen stone. It clearly shows a Kebar. Is it not possible they were trying to tell us they know about the sacrifice of last summer's Solstice?"

  More rumbling rose up among the attendees as this new information was introduced, but it was obvious many didn't know what she meant.

  "What sacrifice?" Azerban heard the lead Ta'araki of Wolf Camp ask.

  Takur hadn’t called attention to the other details of the drawing when he mentioned it earlier, hoping they would be overlooked. By his expression, Azerban knew he feared it would eventually come up.

  "Yes, what sacrifice?" another woman asked. "Is that why the Kebar has his head off? Was one of them made an offering of?"

  Takur sighed before answering, knowing there was no avoiding the subject now. "Last summer," he explained, "a Kebar scout was found spying on the Great Temple. Those who caught him were young and looking for a fight. They roughed him up more than necessary. He wasn't going to survive for long. Instead of returning him to his people, those present decided the best course of acti
on was to eliminate him. It was hoped we would avoid new hostilities. Since we needed a sacrifice anyway, the attendees decided he would serve."

  A great commotion swept through the group as those who’d been unaware of the Kebar sacrifice reacted to the new information. Takur held up his hand to quiet them, but it was a long while before everyone settled down. "He was treated with the same respect any Natu would be," Takur explained. "He was released from his flesh and allowed to journey to the Ta'ar."

  If he had hoped this would ease the minds of those present, Takur was mistaken. Shouts of protest were now ringing out from every direction.

  "Why weren't we made aware of this?"

  "Why would he care about traveling to the Watchers? He's Kebar!"

  "He should not have been sacrificed in the first place."

  "On whose authority?"

  Knowing he was quickly losing control and unsure how to regain it, Takur was losing his composure. Attempting to answer each question as it came, he stumbled over his words and before he could correct himself was inundated with the next protest. He grew visibly frustrated and then angry.

  "None of this matters anymore," he finally shouted. "What's done is done. The sacrifices were performed under Fahim's direction. She is gone now. We cannot go back and correct her mistakes. All we can do now is decide how to respond to this threat."

  Buoyed by the shouts of protest, Siryah of Wolf Camp raised her voice above all others, "Sacrifices?" she asked. "So there was more than one? Would you be speaking of the young Boar Camp girl whose life was taken just last autumn?"

  Takur panicked, realizing in his frustration he’d let on more than he'd meant, and his expression showed it.

  "Another sacrifice?" more than one Ta'araki called out.

  "A Natu girl? How can this be?" someone else yelled.

  General chaos broke out, as any semblance of order was lost. Takur was helpless as squabbles began amongst the crowd, with those who’d backed the action arguing with those who’d been blindsided by the information. Siryah again raised her voice, finally quieting the rest, "Ta'araki, it seems again Boar Camp bears responsibility for what has happened. Should not Boar Camp clean up this mess?"

  The entire body gazed silently at him, waiting to hear his response. Although discouraged, he was also relieved, as he was better prepared to answer this question than the interrogating ones concerning the young girl's sacrifice. "You may be right, Siryah. Perhaps Boar Camp does bear the most blame for what has happened. I certainly feel guilt for the path my late mate led us down. In hindsight, maybe we should have proceeded differently. However, I don't see how that matters now. We have been attacked. The Kebar want us to abandon these lands. They reject the Ta'ar. We tried negotiating with them. Boar Camp attempted to 'clean up our mess', as you put it, Siryah. Our honest efforts were rejected. I don't see how else we can proceed other than to respond in kind."

  "How do you know this, Ta'araki?" asked the lead man from Mammoth Camp. Although rather young for his position, he was generally considered wise and fair, if not somewhat overly deliberative when making a decision. Like many in his camp, his long, straight hair and complexion were much fairer than that of most Natu. His high cheek bones and bright blue eyes always brought him the continued attention of many curious women at Summer Gatherings.

  Takur didn't fully understand his question at first. "Is it not obvious, Beltan? We’ve been attacked. I think we can safely conclude our treaty has been rebuffed."

  "Pardon me, Ta'araki," Beltan responded. "I'm not questioning that point. But you said the Kebar want us to abandon these lands. That they reject the Watchers. How do you know that?"

  "Ahh," Takur brightened, realizing he’d not yet made that point. With all the interruptions, his focus had been shattered. "That is a very good question. The truth is they admitted as much to us. During our negotiations, the Kebar leader told us many of his people wish to claim the lands on which the Great Temple lies. I have the sense they fear it. That is why they are intent on destroying it, not because of retaliation, despite any meaningless drawings they might have left."

  "And there were witnesses to that discussion?" asked Gutz, the Second Ta'araki of Mammoth Camp. Like his leader, he had pale skin and light eyes, although his hair was much darker. The two were so close in age and looked so similar compared to those outside their camp, many mistook them for brothers. "You were present were you not, Azerban?"

  Azerban had not been paying attention for several moments. He'd been lost in his own thoughts, distracted regarding the other matter he feared Takur would bring up. The direct question startled him. "Huh... Oh, yes. Ta'araki is correct."

  Beltan and Gutz humphed almost simultaneously, seemingly satisfied, although Gutz eyed Azerban before returning his attention to his elder.

  Beltan continued, "If that is true then, it seems their admission is more damning evidence than this drawing. Perhaps a robust response is justified."

  Azerban, his attention brought back to the discussion at hand, saw heads mostly nodding in agreement with the Mammoth Camp Ta'araki. He realized Siryah's objections, although well argued, were not strong enough in the face of the new evidence.

  "What response do you suggest then, Ta'araki?" Siryah asked warily.

  "A firm and equivalent reaction," Takur quickly replied, somewhat surprised at the sudden turn in sentiment toward his side. He’d practiced this part of his argument and easily fell back into a rhythm. "Our response should be carefully considered. We should think first of what we desire to achieve so that our actions do not appear arbitrary. The Kebar have attacked our shelters with fire. I propose we do the same. Force is justified and required. The Kebar must know any provocation taken against us will be met with a similar response. They must also know we will never abandon these lands or the Great Temple. We will protect our people and defend our sacred beliefs.

  “Therefore, I propose an assault on the nearest Kebar settlement, which is west of Boar Camp. It is also the camp from which the attacks originated. Because it is closest, Boar Camp will likely endure any backlash. I’ve already attained approval in this matter, but I intend our response to be so clear that the Kebar will think twice about attacking us again. Afterward, we can go to them in peace and make our demands. I suggest we ask them to move their camps further away from ours in the future. The open land will act as a buffer against any further action."

  Takur's speech was greeted with mostly grunts and nods of approval. Even Azerban had to admit the plan sounded reasonable, despite his doubts the actual attack would be as limited as presented. He feared Sakon and Dizon might not be so easily controlled once unleashed.

  "We must gain the approval of the non-Ta'araki leaders also," said Siryah's superior. "In Wolf Camp at least, the Ta'araki are not the only ones with the right to be heard. But if this Council agrees to proceed with your proposal, I should be able to convince my people."

  "That is true, as it has always been," Takur answered, looking suspiciously at the man, sure he heard judgment in his words.

  Thirty-one Ta'araki stood inside the walls of the Great Temple. Each was given an equal vote. If more than half agreed to Takur's plan, he’d be given wide latitude to carry it out as he saw fit. But Azerban already knew Takur had won the argument and when the vote was tallied the count wasn't even close. Almost all agreed. He also voiced support of the plan, knowing a stand against would be futile anyway and hoping his reasonableness would be remembered.

  Although they’d largely acquiesced to Takur's leadership, the numerous Ta'araki felt varying degrees of apprehension. Warring tribes were almost unheard of. Stories were told to children of faraway peoples who couldn't find a way to get along and turned to more violent measures. They were tales of caution, meant to encourage peaceful resolutions to disputes. As such, they almost always ended horrifically, with ghastly consequences for all involved. In the very rare cases they did know of, the real results weren't much better than those of the children’s’ tales. Conf
lict was costly. It drained a community's resources, took lives, and left a mark on those who survived. A loss of reputation was unavoidable, even for those tribes who'd been acting defensively from the beginning. More peaceful neighbors simply didn't want much to do with those who’d been involved in such distasteful exchanges.

  Beltan, the Mammoth Camp lead Ta'araki, spoke first after the vote. "Although we’ve consented to your leadership, Takur, Mammoth Camp expects you to keep this offensive limited. I for one, want to be notified of any reprisal attacks. And I think everyone here would agree we should gather again to discuss the results of the actions you take - before any secondary actions."

  The entire group nodded or vocalized their agreement. Takur responded, "As always my pale friend, your shrewd discretion impresses. I give my word, I’ll not take secondary actions without your approval and will send runners to report developments as soon as we are able. However, I do hope you all realize, Boar Camp will require your assistance in this endeavor. We will not succeed without a full effort."

  "What is it you require, then?" Beltan asked.

  "Your strongest hunters and other resources. As much as you can spare. I understand each camps' capability differs, so I’ll discuss with each of you what shall be provided based on individual circumstances."

  Those present murmured agreement. Siryah spoke first, "I’ll agree to this, Ta'araki. However, I want an end to the executions. If any are to be killed, outside of battle, I believe we all should have a say in the decision."