by Joe Zeigler
“Yes, of course,” Glooscap replied with a wry smile. “Tinga tells me that you have lost blood and sleep is the best thing for you now. So, sleep. We are going to leave tomorrow morning if you are fit. Rest now so you will be.”
“Yes, Glooscap,” she said meekly. She still felt terribly tired, nauseated, and sore. She felt as if she had been kicked in the stomach. A tear breached her eyelid as she drifted to sleep.
New Toll
The Raiders were firmly entrenched at the bottom of the big canyon, ready to fight when the first of Gedeon’s point came down the trail. Daegtan met them and explained the new toll as Caddarak watched from a discreet distance. As Daegtan spoke, Caddarak tensed and watched the body language closely. Without any change in expression, the man nodded, turned, and moved rapidly back up the trail.
“What did he say?” Caddarak asked Daegtan.
“He didn’t say much, and he didn’t express surprise. He just said that he would inform Gedeon.”
Catching Nabihah’s eye, which wasn’t hard, as all anxious eyes in the camp were on Caddarak, he motioned him over. “Nabihah, prepare the men for battle. I anticipate they will come down the river. The trail down the cliff is too narrow a place from which to mount an attack, so the river is their only choice.”
“Yes, Caddarak, I have already ordered the men to build a rampart on the riverbank, and I will line the river with enough archers that they will not get past. If they come down the river, we will slaughter them.”
“Good work, Nabihah. I will send the women down with food soon. Tell the men to eat as much as possible, as it may be a long day.”
“Yes, Caddarak, it will be done.” Nabihah waved his right hand and trotted toward the river. He resented Caddarak’s interference in these military matters but understood this was not the time to object. Caddarak’s accomplishment had been too impressive.
Caddarak looked about him. A small contingent had been stationed at the base of the cliff against the slim chance that Gedeon would attempt that route, and a lot of activity was taking place on the riverbank as his men erected their defenses. The women had their cook fires going and were busy preparing the noon meal. It seemed he was ready. At least, he could think of nothing else. Nabihah had done well. Caddarak must remember to compliment him tonight. Perhaps give him one of the virgins. Strangely, Nabihah had only one mate, so presenting him with another would be appropriate.
The end of the confrontation came as an anticlimax. Caddarak was almost disappointed when Gedeon himself came down the trail accompanied by Nergui to present the full toll paid in flint. Caddarak had decided not to demand women, as he wanted this to go as smoothly as possible and to establish a precedent. Next time I will demand women.
Caddarak met with him and heard Gedeon’s only condition. “Your men must clear the trail,” Gedeon said. “We will not come down the path single file and move through your armed camp.”
“Agreed,” Caddarak said, “and that is how we will do it each time in the future.”
Gedeon nodded in agreement, thinking, I’m agreeing to tolls continuing in perpetuity.
That afternoon the Raiders moved to the east side of the river to clear the trail. While that was happening, Caddarak sent out the hunters and the gatherers to gather a feast grander than any before. There was much to celebrate. He even planned on breaking out the drink made from the blue agave. Of course, only the elders and those few he wanted to honor would share that. The rest of the warriors would remain alert to the possibility that Gedeon would not keep his word to move down the trail peacefully.
He should have demanded some agave from the Traders as well as the flint. But this was a small thing. They had plenty of drink to lubricate the festivities tonight. He would speak with Wenerdu about an attractive arrangement later. Perhaps three. Yes, three, he decided as he felt himself stir.
The next day, twenty of Gedeon’s men, well armed and led by Nergui, descended first and took positions on the ramparts that the Raiders had erected the previous day. Then the rest of the Traders followed the path and disappeared down the trail. Finally, the twenty guards trotted after them.
Caddarak was assured that everything was proceeding well, though he had a hard time appreciating it. His head hurt, and his body felt as if it had been pounded by a horde of warrior women, which was not far from the truth. Regardless, he smiled as he lay back on his bedding. It had been a good few days and a great feast. Now there was no one who did not accept him as the leader. He was no longer surprised that Wenerdu had taken control of copulative activities, directing surprising juxtapositions of the four bodies, much to Caddarak’s delight. He only regretted having too much to drink to fully enjoy his role. He did remember, though, as he faded, that last night the women had moved into positions of self-sufficiency.
End in Sight
Danijel’s people were just above the plain now, not far from their winter destination among the tall mesas and the year-round natives who kept domestic livestock and farmed the land. The river, freed from the gorge walls, spread out and formed a broad, shallow ribbon that flowed across the huge, flat rock capping the hill on which they stood. It ended in a wide, thin waterfall cascading to the plain below, its final destination a large lake that all but dried up during the winter months and overfilled during the spring. The water was to its farthest banks now. They would have to circumnavigate it to reach their destination.
Danijel had decided to take a day of rest and organization. He wanted to arrive refreshed and organized so he could prepare a show for the Lowland farmers. It never hurt to make an impression. Micaela was also on his mind. This would give her opportunity to catch up.
The Traders came in the midafternoon and set up camp just north of Danijel’s people. Many came to greet their Canyon People friends. Gedeon found Danijel standing on an enormous stone, gazing at the lake in the distance and the mesas beyond.
“Greetings, Danijel. You look like you are thinking. Am I interrupting?”
“No, no, you are most welcome. I was just enjoying the realization that we’ve made it down with few losses. Though the twelve we lost on the first day was a bad start.”
“Yes, even so, there have been worse years. Thank Sun this wasn’t one of them.”
“Indeed, thank God, it could have been worse.” Danijel smiled ironically. “Did you pay the toll?”
“I did,” Gedeon replied. “Was that really necessary? We have always resisted such sloth. You have doomed them.”
“Perhaps not,” Danijel said thoughtfully. “They have been Raiders for many years, so they may persist. And they have their women and their God.”
“I suspect we have interfered in the order of things. They will last a few seasons, then fall apart from laziness, greed, and entitlements. It will simply be too easy for them to idly sit by and collect tolls with no effort. It will not be long until they lose the ability to enforce their claim to the fee. Life will become too comfortable, and they will melt.”
“Indeed not,” Danijel said, suddenly worried. “One must remember their consumption of women. If they don’t raid, there will be a shortage of women. I did nothing to keep them supplied with women.”
“Don’t be defensive, Danijel. I also agreed to pay the toll. I am not opposed to solving our problems with the Raiders. But I am a little concerned that we have gone too far. Yes, they will have a shortage of women and will squabble among themselves. I doubt if they will be able to mount raids after a couple of years of living on the tolls. Most likely, they will stay right where they are at the bottom of the drop. There are few—if any—other places so suited. The stronger men among them will leave to seek better circumstances as the campsite becomes a village filled with trash and excrement. In time, no one worth anything will be left, and ultimately they will be laughed at when they demand the toll.”
“That is a bleak forecast. And you believe me to be responsible? I don’t think so. As you said, you also paid.”
Gedeon shrugged and walk
ed away toward his camp, thinking that something would have to be done in the future to restore the balance.
Danijel turned back toward the Lake and the fertile valley beyond, surrounded by vertical cliffs demonstrating layers of various shades of red and orange. Gorges decorated with natural columns and turrets broke up the scene. In his imagination, he could see a great village made up of grand buildings designed for a king. The tree line started just below his level and thickened into the valley. He could see the slopes rising on the other side of the valley, the trees becoming sparser as the elevation increased. He knew the grade on which he stood looked much the same from the other side. It was like looking into a mirror. But not really. He wasn’t in the picture, and he knew the land behind him rose much higher than that across the valley. It was relaxing to let his mind wander, though.
The Traders left early the next morning, as Gedeon wanted to be set up and ready to do business when Danijel’s people arrived.
When Danijel’s people started down the last descent two hours behind Gedeon, Micaela had not yet rejoined them, and Ohad was becoming anxious about Glooscap and his flint. He knew that once they were settled in the Lowland, Danijel would want to see the flint. He had to have it by then. He moved up in the column until he was walking beside the elder who had expressed interest in Micaela.
“You will be pleased to know Micaela is no longer pregnant. But her breasts are still swollen, large and ripe. I’m sure you and your friends are anxious to increase your bid before someone else claims the prize.”
“No longer pregnant? It’s too early for her to have had the child. Anyway, we don’t want a girl whose body has been ravished by childbirth. We much prefer a virgin or a girl whom we can imagine being a virgin.”
“Micaela’s body is still perfect. She lost the baby two days ago, with no injury to her, and she will be ready to breed again by the end of the month.”
“That is some time away. Why do you come to me now?”
“I thought that you might like to secure the arrangement and enjoy the anticipation before someone else does,” Ohad said slyly. He continued, anxious now for the flint. “If you meet my price today, I will include another young girl, Ixchel. She is pregnant from the Breeding but not showing, and she is a pretty young thing. She could assist with Micaela.” Ohad was anxious to get flint and unaware that Danijel and Liùsaidh had adopted Ixchel. He thought she was still desperately alone and that she would greatly appreciate this well-paying job. Ohad prided himself on helping those in need. And, he thought, if it benefits me, too, all the better.
“What you propose is tempting. I will speak to my friends and let you know our decision when we stop for the midday meal.”
Satisfied, Ohad dropped back to allow them to confer. He was reasonably confident he could get Micaela’s cooperation, and as for Ixchel, he would just pay her; she would be grateful. He knew she had been having a hard time since the Breeding. He tried very hard to know everything about everyone. He thought of himself as a people person.
***
Glooscap and his group walked into the camp to find the People gone and dust in the distance. “We’re not an hour behind,” he announced.
Micaela was doing much better. The nausea had passed, and she had not bled since early yesterday. She was moving better and had even taken a basket back from one of the warriors to carry. She knew they resented encumbering their spear arm and considered baggage women’s responsibility.
Regardless, Glooscap was solicitous of Micaela’s condition and ordered a break. “We’ll have no trouble catching them before the end of the day. A group can travel only as fast as its slowest member, and a large group like that has some really slow ones.” He smiled and sat on a log that had been dragged next to the site of a fire the previous night.
Micaela thought about it and decided she was a little tired. She lay on the ground, wrapped a fur around her body, and instantly fell into a deep sleep.
Glooscap noticed and smiled. She’s not yet as strong as she thinks. But she certainly is tough. He decided that a two-hour delay would not hurt.
***
Unbeknownst to Glooscap, Ohad was becoming frantic, overcome with doubt. He was unexpectedly struck by the certainty, like a nightmare in broad daylight, that the men would reject his offer of Micaela and Ixchel. Glooscap is certainly dead, and the flint gone, as well as the combs. What can I do? If only Glooscap would return flush with flint. I cannot reduce Micaela’s price, as the elders will sense weakness. He forced himself to wait. Though the air was chilly, Ohad was sweating.
Liùsaidh, at the front of the column, just behind Danijel, decided the open space in the trail ahead was an ideal place to halt for the midday meal and to rest. After walking behind Danijel all morning, she was having wanton thoughts as she remembered this spot from last year. Actually, she remembered it from her days as a young girl when Danijel was pursuing her.
“Danijel,” she said, “let’s stop here.” Danijel nodded without turning around. She wondered if he was thinking what she was thinking.
“Ixchel?” She turned her head and caught Ixchel’s eye. “That spot to the right of the clearing ahead,” she said, pointing, “see where the huge boulder has a large crack down the center? Set up a campfire there and prepare a meal. Danijel and I will be back in time to eat with you.”
“Yes, Ma, I will do that gladly,” she said with a cheerful countenance.
When they arrived in the clearing, Liùsaidh took Danijel by the hand and led him through the narrow gap in the boulder. The manner in which he grasped her hand communicated that, indeed, he was thinking the same thing. A small gap existed between the boulder and the hill behind it. It resembled a small, intimate cave with an open ceiling—perfect for what they had in mind.
Danijel raised her face toward his, and their lips sealed together. She slipped her tongue into his mouth and against the back of his throat and fed. Not much, though, as it had been some time since he had eaten, but enough to set things—beautiful things—in motion. She felt comfortable with this man; she always had. And recent revelations made her feel closer to him. She opened herself up completely to him and their mutual desires.
***
If Glooscap had not decided to let Micaela rest for a couple of hours, they would have caught up when the group stopped to eat, quelling Ohad’s anxiety. As it was, Ohad was a wreck. Though one of the women had prepared his usual large meal, he couldn’t eat, which was very unlike him. Wild thoughts were running through his mind. He wondered if he could present Ixchel as a virgin as well. Most likely not, as all witnessed the Breeding.
He saw the elder with whom he had been negotiating, Akule, walking toward him. Instantly he calmed himself and pretended to be eating from the assortment of food before him.
“Greetings,” Ohad called. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes, thank you, Ohad.” He half bowed. “We have discussed your offer and found your price to be beyond our means or, at least, our desires.”
Ohad’s heart sank. I’m ruined, he thought, as he showed no emotion at all. He just stared at the man, expressionless.
“If you will agree,” the elder continued, “we propose to add another. So, four of us, rather than three, will enjoy Micaela and her friend. We thought this would be acceptable as you have now offered two girls to service our desires. We will split your fee four ways rather than three.”
“Hold up now,” Ohad exclaimed with a shocked expression. “The arrangement was for three. And, as I was going to include myself, we’re already at four. More than four is a significant breeding event and would cost more. And I’m also including Ixchel. No, no, I’m going to have to ask for more payment.”
The elder frowned. Shaking his head, he started to speak, but Ohad interrupted.
“There is one solution,” Ohad said with a thoughtful expression. “Micaela will not be ready for breeding for another week, during which time you can enjoy your anticipation. If you deliver full payment in flint, bef
ore sunset or when we arrive in the Lowland—whichever is later—I will accept the new arrangement of five. Even better, during this week of anticipation, you can take your pleasure as you like with Ixchel, and Micaela will be present to enhance your pleasure.”
Ohad could see that he had set the hook. Akule was sweating and looked as if he might start trembling. Anticipation was a powerful thing.
“You will have your flint by the end of the day,” he said.
Ohad Gets the Flint
When they camped at the end of the day, within sight of their destination, the elders delivered as promised. Ohad was so relieved his knees felt weak.
“We would like Ixchel to visit us tonight,” the leader said.
“No, no, that’s not possible,” Ohad replied. “There are arrangements to be made.”
“When, then? You have been paid,” he said, gesturing toward the bags of flint.
“Two days, just two days. I will arrange things tomorrow when we arrive. She will be busy then, organizing the new place. The day after that, I’ll have Micaela deliver her to you.”
“All right…OK,” he said, obviously disappointed. Regardless, they shook hands, and he departed.
***
Meanwhile, Ixchel was cooking for herself and her new family and smiling at the sounds whispering through the crack in the rock. Someday I’ll have a man like Danijel, she thought wistfully, a man of my own who loves and cares about me as much as Danijel cares about Liùsaidh. He will feed my child and me, making us part of his family as Danijel and Liùsaidh have done.
***
Ohad was basking in his relief, seriously attacking his food, when Glooscap appeared.
“Ohad,” he cried, “I’m back with the goods.”
“Do you mean that you have successfully obtained the flint?”
“More than you hoped for,” Glooscap replied. “The Traders valued the combs two times greater than what you told me to ask. Gedeon himself had made the offer before I had named a price. Micaela is with me, too, as well as your inventory.”
