"Taeau, are you all right?" asks Alo before he splashes Taeau with water to rouse him.
Taeau is helped to his feet and feels pain in his head and side. Holding his ribs, he says, "Yes, Gahano. I know I was not to interfere with the hunt, but I saw the beast charging Leotie and I did what I thought I should. Do not be disappointed with me."
"Disappointed! After bringing down Broken Horn, the Ga-Taga's mightiest bull, with your bare hands!" Alo grabs Taeau's arm and raises it into the air. Cheers come from all around as the hunters honor his courageous deeds. He looks down to see Leotie's head buried in her arms as a hunter dresses a splint for her ankle.
During the ride back to camp, hunters gather around Taeau to talk about the hunt. He has become a celebrity in the camp and everyone wants to talk to him. The hunting party approaches the camp, and the tribe's children run out to see their fathers. They look in awe at the animals that were killed, shouting praise to the brave hunters. Everyone is happy and excited knowing they will soon return to their beloved city. As the Enopay break down camp and get ready for the trip to the Msa-Oda, the women begin to sing, raising the tribe's spirits even higher.
During the trip to the Msa-Oda, the men talk about the hunt, the children play, and the women pull wooden sleds that hold supplies and slain Ga-Taga. Each sled is pulled by six women who sing and gossip during the joyous walk to the city. Stories of what Taeau did during the hunt have passed through many ears in the camp, and the tale becomes more fantastic every time it is retold. The children no longer play pranks on Taeau but mimic his battle with the great Broken Horn. Taeau laughs watching them wrestle each other to the ground. Taeau looks back to see Leotie hunched over her horse at the end of the line.
During the journey to the city, talking, singing, and laughter begin to die down. Taeau can see the quite excitement in the Enopay as they climb a steep grassy hill. In the fading light the sun finishes its journey to the other side of the heavens, Taeau looks upon the city for the first time. It is more magnificent than he had imagined. The Msa-Oda is carved into the side of a wind-blown canyon that rises from the valley floor. Torches dimly light the city, and Taeau hears drums beating and horns blowing from within it. Taeau watches men wave torches inside the city signaling to the tribe as it approaches the city.
Alo rides up to Taeau. "It has been an eventful day, Taeau. You have won the acceptance of the people, and your Gahano is proud of you. Like our mother the moon, you have come to the end of a phase, and are now empty and ready to begin anew. You, like our great mother, will shine for all to see and will be embraced. A new beginning is before you. An Enopay man you will soon be. I am sad to say that until you are a man, you are not welcome into the Ny-a-Oda, and will not be able to join in the celebration tonight. Wait for me in the city, and when the moon starts to fall back behind the stars, I will come to you for your final lesson." Taeau nods his head in understanding and Alo rides away.
The Enopay have reached the base of the formation, and they start up the Path of Silent Steps toward the city. Everyone walks in silence, listening to the men in the city singing and playing the Lament of the Msa-Oda. Horns, flutes of wood, and deep drums fill the air with hypnotic music. An Enopay woman, seeing the delight in Taeau's face, tells him what the music means.
"The song is about when our Mother Oda, 'the moon,' gave birth to the first of the Enopay. These early Enopay lived scattered throughout the lands in darkness and were afraid. They wandered for many seasons as vagrants in the world. With no home or protection, the Enopay were easy prey for many beasts and suffered from hunger and disease. It was Mother Oda who led the first of the Enopay to the city. She showed our people the Ga-Taga and taught us how to hunt them. This gave the Enopay great life and power. She told our ancestors that we must protect her city and keep it in her image. We have done this ever since, and she has blessed our people."
The travelers stop at the gate of the city. Warriors dressed in elaborate costumes point spears and arrows at them. The Chief raises his hands and speaks to the warriors.
"We bring offerings as payment for entrance to the great city of our mother."
The leader of the warriors yells down, "Let us see these offerings, and we will decide whether they are great enough for entry." The Chief waves his hands, and three women drag furs of slain Ga-Taga before all the warriors inside the Msa-Oda. A woman hands the Chief a Ga-Taga antler that has been made into a large horn.
"Is this sufficient payment, guard of the city?"
The warriors look down at the furs and are pleased. The captain of the guard bows to the Chief, who blows into the horn, which echoes loudly against the stone walls. Many horns answer his call from inside the city, and the doors open. A line of warriors stands waiting to welcome their Enopay brothers and sisters back into the city. Young unmarried girls run in front of the Chief and toss cactus petals onto the ground. Anxious men run to their wives whom they have not seen in half a season, and embrace their families whom they have missed deeply. The celebration begins as they march to the great hut of Ny-a-Oda. Many Enopay pat Taeau on his shoulders on their walk to the hut, but they leave him behind. Taeau is so pleased with his newfound acceptance that he does not care about being left out of the celebration.
Taeau walks with Tib as they explore the city, staring at the sculpted architecture with curiosity. The pueblos are carved from the stone of the canyon, with paintings on the doors signifying to outsiders which family lives inside. Taeau and Tib climb up on one of the roofs and sit staring out into the night's horizon. He sees a cloud rising in the distance from the Ga-Taga herd. It is a magical night, and Taeau does not want it to end.
"Do you mind if I sit with you, Taeau?" The young man looks over his shoulder, startled to see Leotie dressed in her celebratory gowns.
"Yes, I mean no, if you would like," Taeau says with a confused look.
Taeau looks at Leotie's soft, deer-skin dress with its finely painted patterns encrusted in beads and stones. Her hair has been tied into long, tight braids that hang in front of her shoulders. Her face has been painted with powder made from crushed stones of deep vibrant colors. On her eyelids a glowing dust reflects the starlight as she blinks at him. She limps to his side and slowly sits down, cautiously resting her injured ankle. Taeau has never seen her appear so much like a girl. They sit for a while in silence, glancing at each other only to start giggling. Tib gives Leotie a nasty look and turns his back on them both.
In a soft, gentle voice Leotie says, "Thank you for what you did today. I am grateful." Taeau looks at her, smiles, and looks back to the sky.
"I was afraid for your life. I mean, it was nothing. Well, I mean, not that your life is nothing, but, you know, well, I mean, I did not even think about it." He feels like such a fool as the words leave his mouth, so he tries to change the subject. "Why are you not at the celebration?"
"I just wanted some air before I go. Do you like my dress, Taeau?" He looks at her again and is even more nervous. He takes a deep gulp while she shows him her dress in a playful motion.
"Nice, good look, ah, you, I mean, ya," and he laughs uneasily.
"Is there something wrong with your tongue, Taeau?" Leotie asks with a smile.
"No, there is not!" he says defensively.
"I did not mean to anger you. It's just, you seem nervous."
"Well, you would be nervous too . . . if someone who has gone out of her way to make you look like a fool comes to you dressed in fine clothing and looking beautiful with her face painted, speaking kind words."
Taeau's eyes open wide as he realizes what he just said, "I mean good looking . . . you know, for a girl."
Leotie smiles and laughs again. "Do you think I am beautiful, Taeau?"
Taeau's face goes pale, and he quickly looks away from her, not knowing what to say. Leotie puts her hand on his. Taeau looks down at her hand and then into her eyes. She blinks at him, showing him her sparkling eyelids. They both turn, gazing out into the night sky, smiling and lis
tening to the wind blowing in the valley.
"Ahem." They quickly separate their hands and sit up too greet Alo, who is followed by Tib who is still giving Leotie nasty looks.
"It is time, Taeau. Leotie, you are missed in the hut."
"I was just keeping Taeau company. I will leave you both now." She looks at Taeau and takes out her knife. "Good luck and safe travels, Taeau." She cuts a lock of her braided hair and ties it with some string before giving it to him. "Something to keep you company on your journey." Taeau thanks her, wondering what she and Alo are both talking about. Leotie gets up with Taeau's help and leaves.
"I told you in time things would be right between you two," Alo says with a light voice.
Taeau never believed Alo, but his Gahano is wise. Taeau sees that now more than ever.
"Let us walk, Taeau, we must now leave the city and travel down to the horses."
"Yes, Gahano."
They both start walking, and Alo tells Taeau stories of the city as they travel. He talks to Taeau about how the city was built and who lives in the pueblos that they pass. The three of them walk down the Path of Silent Steps enjoying the nice night air. The moon, unseen behind the blanket of the night, has begun its descent to the horizon, and a lite morning cloud begins to fill the air.
"Where am I going, Gahano? Where are you sending me?" Alo looks at Taeau. "I am sending you on your vision quest. It is the last stage of your training. You will go to a place far away. And you must go alone, with no belongings, not even the clothes on your back. Tib has fought me hard, and I have agreed to let him go with you, more for his safety than yours. I have brought you here to say your farewell to Akima. I will personally take care of your horse while you are gone as if he is my own."
"Gahano, if I am to travel a great distance, how am I supposed to do it without Akima?"
"Do not worry about that now. Time is short." Standing at the edge of the fence that holds the horses, Akima walks over to Taeau and nips at his ear. Taeau pets his head, giving him a treat to eat.
"I am leaving for a while, friend, and I do not know when I will be back. Alo will take care of you." The horse looks at Alo, who bows to the animal. Akima brushes his head against Taeau's, and the stripe of color-changing fur that runs down his snout begins to glow. The horse stomps a hoof and licks Taeau before walking away.
"You have grown well, Taeau, and tonight will be the last time you will call me 'Gahano.' When you return, you will be a man and ready to become a true member of the Enopay. The blood that runs through your veins is not of our people. It is old and from an ancient race long forgotten, but a brother you will be to me and to the rest of the Enopay when you return. You must leave on your quest immediately, so I must ask for you to strip away the clothes of your childhood."
Taeau does what Alo asks of him, removing his clothes. He shivers naked in the cool morning. Alo takes a small object from one of his satchels. Your former Gahano, Mia-Koda, has let me borrow this. It is the Moura Stone, a very powerful relic from a past age. Alo shows the stone to Taeau, but Taeau does not understand what he is looking at. It is a polished, round, light-colored stone connected to a rope made from silvery hair. Markings cover the stone, and there is a flat jewel of blue where Alo holds the rope.
"This is a gate opener. It will take you anywhere you need to go."
Alo takes out another pouch and grabs from it a handful of dirt. He sprinkles the dirt over the stone and whispers a chant. The stone and jewel’s marking begin to glow. He lets the stone go, holding onto the jewel. It dangles toward the ground, and Alo starts to swing the stone in large circles. The Moura Stone makes a loud high-pitched noise while cutting through the air. It creates a large circle of light as Alo swings it. Faster and faster, Alo swings the stone, and soon the open circle begins to close in on itself. Then, when the circle has closed, it goes silent, and a black void shines for a moment, fading away into a doorway. Taeau stands in shock. He sees a jungle on the other side of the door. He observes trees and plants, and can feel the heat coming from inside the gateway.
"This is where you must go. I will return for you when your journey is finished. Now go, Taeau, and become a man. Taeau, naked and confused, timidly walks through the door, and Tib follows him. It is midday when he steps onto the soft wet ground of the jungle. He turns to look back at Alo, but sees only jungle. He looks down at Tib, then back into the tropical forest. He recalls the dream he had the night before. He remembers how he chased a vision of Ven in a place that looked similar to this. Then he thinks of his parents and the time he spent with Leotie.
He takes a deep breath and holds on tightly to the only thing he has brought with him, Leotie's lock of hair. He starts to walk into the jungle with no idea where he is or where he is going, but for the first time in his life he has a purpose. He looks down at Tib, who looks back up at him with his large eye. Taeau bends down and lifts Tib onto his shoulders. Tib hugs Taeau’s head and his markings begin to flutter. Taeau looks up at Tib and smiles before breaking out into a run and disappearing into the wild.
CHAPTER TEN
Un-Nabus moves through the mist of a marshland surrounded by steep mountain cliffs, followed by his servant Gynok. The air is thick, and bubbles escape from the mud releasing gases that turn the flames on Gynok's torch blue.
"Master, these lands sting my smeller."
"Why do you think they are called the Putrid Marshes, worm? What you smell is the slow rot of both plant and beast. With few winds and no run-off for the water, the stagnant stench of death fills the air. Few fish swim here, mostly snakes and bottom-feeding creatures like yourself call these marshes home. This is one of the last territories of the Oota-Daboon, an ancient warrior race created by the first Hhtuno lord. They are now shadows of their ancestors, scattered and divided. Many of the surviving Daboon are here, for few outsiders ever venture into these marshes. It is here where I will restore them to their old and rightful glory. This is why we have entered these marshes. Bother me again about another one of your discomforts, and I will feed you to a strangling snake that will digest you until the next season. "
"Yes, Master. Thank you, Master. What does one of the Daboon look like?" Gynok asks with a look of disgust as he thinks of being eaten by a slithering marsh constrictor.
"They are covered in long, thick hair, and a few of the strongest Daboon still have the poisonous quills on their backs. Their powerful arms have grown longer than their legs, and now most Daboon walk crouched on all fours. Over time, they have evolved a short rat-like tail, which stores fat and helps them survive long periods without food. They have rodent-like teeth and their claws, once sharp and lethal, have become dull and curled for digging and traveling. Puddle looks around and stumbles as he tries to catch up with his master. "Gnyok, do you see that island of tall grass to the west?" Puddle looks ahead, shaking his head. "Continue there alone. I will meet you in the center. Do not turn around or flee, or merciless your punishment will be." Un-Nabus looks down at Gnyok's torch, and it goes out. Un-Nabus covers his head with his hood and transforms into the Hornbill. He flies high into the murky sky, disappearing into the fog. Puddle lowers his head and shivers. He trudges alone through the thick marshes without the protection of his master.
The grasses grow taller, hiding him on his journey. The sun is setting, and the dim light within the marshes grows darker. Puddle hears noises coming from inside the grassy island. He moves closer, slowly parting the vegetation. The noises grow louder and more intense. He sees the silhouettes of moving creatures and hides behind a dead tree stump. Slowly looking over the stump, Puddle sees large beasts feeding on a marsh lizard. The beasts' bodies are covered in mud, and their heads and arms are soaked with blood as they rip the carcass apart. One of the beasts stops eating and raises its head, sniffing the air. It begins to slowly creep away from the kill, moving closer to Puddle. Puddle hears a sloshing behind him and turns to see a shadow with two bloodthirsty eyes approaching.
"Ahhhh!, Master, help me, help
!" Puddle yells as he tries to flee from the approaching shadow, but as he turns to escape, the other two creatures rush toward him. Puddle is frozen with fear and he shakes in the mud moving his head back and forth between the beasts. He quickly curls in a ball, hiding under his tough leathery back. Puddle can hear the beasts communicating to each other in their growling language.
"Don't eat me, beasties. I mean you no harm. I have no meat on my bones. That lizard would taste better."
"Foolish Muddler, such a soft and tender morsel you will be. I will enjoy feasting on you, little one."
A bellowing echoes from above the marshes, followed by a darkness that surrounds Puddle.
"Thank you, Master," Puddle murmurs as tears streak down his quivering face.
The beasts begin to roar and splash water toward the darkness. From within the dark cloud, Un-Nabus appears. His voice is soft, but the ground shakes beneath him, "Sons of the Oota-Daboon, bow before me and rejoice, for your master has returned to you."
The largest of the three Daboon speaks, "I bow, slurp, to nothing." Then in his own language he growls, commanding the others to attack.
Un-Nabus raises his hands at the two Daboon, and the darkness covers their heads. They begin to scream, falling to the ground and tearing at their faces in terror. Puddle cries out and covers his ears as he hears their blood-curdling screams.
"Feel the true power of a Hhtuno lord, my children. Let great fear and pain seep into your souls. Cower once you hear your master's name for the first time. I am UN-NABUS, Lord of Hhtuno." The two beasts run off into the marshes, consumed with fear, bellowing in the night. Un-Nabus turns to the Daboon whom he has spared.
"This is a day of days, for your master has returned, and I will restore to you the power and strength of your race." The Daboon slowly creeps backwards, looking for a way to retreat. "Bow to me." Un-Nabus points his staff at the Daboon, and the darkness forces the beast to his knees. "I heard you speak the common tongue. How is this?"
The New World (The Last Delar) Page 13
