Love's Joy

by Emil Toth

  Edmund nodded, showing he understood her personality. “Why did the maniac High Priest spare her, Jacob?”

  “She told him she loved him.”

  “She loved him?”

  “She would not tell me the whole story, just as she has not told me the whole story of how you were transformed after talking to her.”

  “Since you and I have gone through so much, I suppose it is only right I share what it was she uncovered for me that helped me transform. One day I upset my father and he snapped. My tyrannical, sadistic father sodomized me over and over again that day. I hated him for what he did to me.”

  Edmund stopped as he recalled the terrible day and took a deep breath.

  “Only my mother knew about it. She was never the same after that day. She aged terribly in a few days. She died shortly afterward. The event shattered me. It stole my innocence and hardened me. I swore I would never be sodomized again, so I became like him. I raged at everyone. My father complimented me on my new fierceness. I grew more and more brutal and hard. It pleased him and kept him at bay. I waited patiently to revenge my mother’s death and for what he did to me. It came within a year after my mother’s death. My father died by my hand. In the intervening years, I destroyed everything he had built. I wanted no memory of him.”

  Jacob understood why Kaathi chose not to share what happened when she and Edmund left the meeting. He was stunned Edmund took him into his confidence. It was easy to see why the king had been so filled with anger for so many years.

  “I am sorry for the loss of your mother and your humiliation. I apologize if you felt pressured to tell me.”

  “I felt no pressure. I felt you were a sensitive, strong man who has become my friend. It needed to be told to a male friend who would see how hard I am trying to make amends for all the brutality I inflicted upon my people.”

  Jacob leaned over and hugged Edmund.

  “Thank you for your trust and for considering me your friend.”

  “It would give me great pleasure if you and your family would consider living here in Homar. I consider you and Kaathi family. No need to commit. I just wanted you to know you have a home awaiting you if you choose to move… Please get back to your story.”

  “Thank you for the invitation, Edmund… Subsequent to everything that happened, Kaathi and I became good friends and she wanted me to go with her to find your son and take him back to Kahali.”

  “I know that part of her history well,” noted Edmund.

  “The trip brought us here, and we came across the Searcher mutants, Leah and Isaac. Kaathi made friends with them and we brought them back with your son. Our people were in an uproar because she brought two mutants back. She explained how they were not from the mutant tribe raiding villages and were not a threat and convinced them to a trial period.

  “The reason for bringing your son with us was to stimulate you into following Kaathi and she could have the intimate conversation with you, which changed your personality. It also provided Renee the opportunity to instruct your people about the importance of proper relationships on all levels of society.

  “Two years later Kaathi, Leah, Isaac and I made a journey to find Ancient Mother and Ancient Father. Kaathi had been communicating with the Ancients telepathically. They are part of the twelve Ancients living around the world praying for the good of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. On this trip we met three distinct races. Mara was part of an Uchakwa scouting party. They attacked us because we were passing through their territory. She alone survived the attack. Kacy was expelled from the Uchakwa clan; we came across her later. Both of them came back with us.

  “We also interacted with a clan of simians. I called them Stalkers because they tracked us for a half day before they revealed themselves. None of the Stalkers chose to remain with us. We also rescued Evette, from the Wanderer mutants. You have met her. Her husband, Gene, chose to remain in Kahali for personal reasons. When the mutants came across us, one of them was ill and they abandoned him to die. Kaathi was able to heal him. His son, Marcel, is part of the peace contingent.

  “Sharika was a different story. We met her in Sumati. She confessed she was looking for a husband. Like everyone, she became instant friends with Kaathi and came back to Kahali with us.

  “My wife, Ashley, was saved from death outside of Sumati by Kaathi. Ashley had been abducted by the Wanderer mutants and made a slave for eighteen years before her escape. She came back to Kahali with us.

  “Every person associated with Kaathi has played a major role in Kahali and the education of the surrounding villages. One of her most significant accomplishments is the peace treaty. Second to the treaty would be the initiation of the Relationship Sessions and the change in our religious practice with the Spiritual Awakening Services.”

  “She is a truly amazing woman,” admitted Edmund. “If my memory serves me, Sharika is your apprentice and Scarlet is not only your wife but is an apprentice High Priest along with Ashlee. I thought I recall Kaathi saying the Uchakwa woman, Mara, is her apprentice.”

  Jacob nodded in agreement. “You are correct.”

  “Have those appointments caused unrest in Kahali?”

  “They have. Somehow Kaathi is able to explain why she chose them in such a way as to quiet most of the rumblings.”

  Edmund nodded. “She does have a way with words. No. I retract what I said. She has a confident, dynamic aura and it seems to calm people’s fears.”

  A small group of people interrupted them and took Edmund with them.

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

  Edgar found Kaathi sitting on the veranda.

  “Miss Kaathi the king requests your presence. Would you please follow me?”

  The mystic took Edgar’s arm and went with him to the main palace room and deposited her there and left.

  “Ah, Kaathi thank you for coming.” King Edmund pointed to a chair. “Please sit. I have a favor to ask. A man has been a thorn in my side for nearly a year with his complaints.”

  “Why is he displeased?”

  “He is a holdout at attending the sessions. I do not mind it, but he is vocal about it and is a nuisance. Would you talk to him and see if you can silence him or change his mind?”

  Her eyebrows went up as she smiled. “It seems since you are not a terror some in your flock are not afraid of you.”

  “Yes. It was much easier being a dictator king.”

  “You know I would do anything for you.”

  “Good.” He called out, “Edgar.”

  The loyal servant appeared.

  “Would you take Kaathi to Gar’s house?”

  “Of course.”

  “Thank you for your help, Kaathi.”

  “No need to thank me. I am happy to talk to your people.”

  Kaathi linked her arm through Edgar’s. He led her out into the village center. She asked about his family as they walked. They followed an avenue for a short while and took a right onto another and came to Gar’s house.

  He called out, “Gar.”

  Gar appeared. He was powerfully built, dark-skinned, well-muscled, younger and taller than Andre. His tightly curled hair was cropped short as was his beard. A wide, long scar cut across his left cheek and disturbed his nose. His eyes were piercing, dark and brooding and detracted from his looks.

  “The king has asked Kaathi to talk with you.”

  “I am getting tired of him sending people over to talk to me. Is he afraid to talk to me himself?”

  “You need to ask him yourself.”

  Gar turned his attention to the woman. She had extraordinary and expressive eyes. He looked suspiciously at her. There was something he detected emanating from her. He could not put his finger on it and wanted to discover what it was. He relented disgustedly. “Very well come inside.”

  “Can we recline by the river?”

  In a sarcastic tone, he said, “By all means I want you to be comfortable.”

  She did not lock her arm in Gar’s as they walked.
Edgar followed discreetly behind them. They walked without talking on their way to the water. Gar found a spot he liked and sat down. Kaathi sat opposite him. Edgar sat and leaned against a tree out of earshot.

  Gar squinted at her. “What is this about?”

  She smiled. “Evidently you are a concern to the king.”

  “Damn right I am.” He slammed his fist into his palm. “He is always sending his lackeys to get me to attend the shit sessions, and it is not going to happen. You are the most recent in a long list of people, including the instructors, trying to convince me to go. I am not interested in attending, so have your say and get the hell out of here and leave me alone.”

  She sat unmoving.

  He felt like he needed to put more emphasis on what he said. He thumped his broad, hairy chest. “Now that he has given us free will I am using it.”

  “Oh, I do not blame you.”

  He was taken aback by her comment. He expected her to back the king and criticize him.

  “Go back and tell him to shove the sessions up his ass.” He growled angrily, sounding like a prehistoric beast.

  She giggled. “You know I will do no such thing. It would be disrespectful.”

  “Well, I do not respect him so tell him whatever you need to so he will leave me the hell alone.”

  “I am not done talking with you, so I do not know what I am going to say to Edmund.”

  “You can tell him to kiss my ass. That is how I feel about all this crap everyone is trying to shove down my throat.”

  He was sorry he did not shove her to emphasize his point. He wondered why he did not. Was it because she was from Kahali? Was it the enchantment he saw in her eyes? She was small, but she did not look frail. She would not break, if he did push her over. Hell he had done it dozens of times with dozens of women. Strangely, there was something about her keeping him from doing it. At the moment, he was uncertain what it was. He was sure he would figure it out before they separated.

  He laughed derisively. “I never thought Edmund would send a woman from Kahali to talk to me. What has he got on you?”

  “Got on me? Nothing. I am doing a friend a favor.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “Do you always use such foul language?”

  “I do what the hell I want to and nobody can stop me.”

  “I have noticed. I need you to know the way you are talking to me is disrespectful.”

  “Why the hell should I respect you?”

  “Because I deserve it.”

  He waved his hand at her as if he was shooing a fly away. “Deserve it my ass. You have not done anything to deserve it.”

  “In your estimation only.”

  “It is what counts,” he snorted.

  “No, your estimation is distorted.”

  “Distorted my ass,” he hissed.

  “Let me ask you a question. Is this the way you talked to your sister?”

  What the hell? She speaks as if she knows my sister. It cannot be. She never could have met her. She has not been in the village long enough for it to happen. So why does she speak with such certainty?

  “You do not know my sister so do not talk about her.”

  She raised her eyebrows, as if to say she did know her.

  A moment of quiet passed before he relented and answered, “It is.”

  “Did you disrespect her at home?”

  “Why do you want to know?”

  “Because it is important for me to understand you and how you were raised.”

  His answer was slow in coming. “I would give her shit, when she made me mad.”

  “Why did you get mad?”

  “She was older and would tease me.”

  “Did you know her teasing was the way she showed you she loved you?”

  Gar’s brow furrowed. He did not answer.

  Her voice was gentle as she asked. “Are you afraid to answer me?”

  “Hell, I am not afraid of you or any man alive and that includes Kaleez. I fought him and nearly kicked his ass. I probably can now.”

  “Then answer me.”

  His eyes bore into her and he could not get her to cower. Finally he answered, “I gave her what she deserved.”

  “And what about your mother?”

  “The only thing I remember about her is she moaned and cried most of the time. I was five when she died and left my father to raise us.”

  “Was your father angry because she died?”

  “Hell yes. Not only did he have to hunt for our meat, he had to raise crops and make our meals until my sister was old enough to do it.”

  “Did he ever thank her for making the meals?”

  “Are you crazy? It was her job.”

  “Did you ever thank her?”

  His answer was a sour look.

  “Did you respect your father for doing what he did?”

  He nodded.

  “So you respected him for doing your mother’s work but could not give your sister the same respect for doing her work?”

  He made a guttural sound and glared at her.

  “Did you ever thank him for doing it?”

  He made a face. “It was his job. We did not go around gushing about what we were supposed to do.”

  “Gar, it appears your father never learned how to be respectful, compassionate and show love. It is why he did not share them with your mother and could not teach you those qualities.”

  He glared at her and said nothing.

  “I can see you did learn distrust and disrespect from your father. I cannot blame you for being angry and not giving love to anyone. You learned to hate women and face disputes with anger from your father. Kindness, compassion and love are learned. Unfortunately, no one taught them to you. I am sure your mother gave you love and your sister did, in her own way. Sadly, you were too young and the memory of being loved got buried inside you.”

  The mystic’s voice grew softer.

  “Some people face the challenges of life completely defenseless. Your defense of life’s hazards is anger. It does not have to remain your shield. The sessions are your resource for helping you understand why anger is dominating you and will provide coping alternatives to handle arguments without resorting to anger or violence. The more you attend the sessions the more you will be equipped to come to terms with your feelings. Your family should not have to suffer the brunt of your anger. You will learn there is a give and take in relationships. The sessions can help you establish a warm and loving relationship with your family and sister thus allowing them to delight in the modification and your love.”

  Gar glared at her, but her words penetrated his heart and unsettled him. His glare slowly vanished. Confusion took its place.

  The mystic rose and smiled at him.

  “It was a delight to chat with you, Gar. Do you want a hug?”

  He was startled by her question. “No,” he said in a soft voice.

  “Then allow me to say I love you. Goodbye.”

  He watched her take Edgar’s arm and walk away. He felt an emptiness in his stomach and chided himself for not accepting her invitation to be hugged. He continued watching her and inexplicably felt charged with excitement. The others Edmund sent to talk to him did not have the mystic’s energy or wisdom. Her explanations made sense. If he took to heart what she said, it was a chance to benefit from renewal, a fresh approach to life he never would have imagined just yesterday. She said his life would be altered by the classes. He already felt remolded simply by her presence and wisdom. He breathed deeply and felt awakened to the nuances of the delicate balances present in relationships she spoke about.

  Two days later King Edmund, his family, military leaders and his subjects bid the Kahali group goodbye. As Edmund watched them go, he decided, when they returned with the news the peace treaty was ratified by everyone, he was stepping aside and let Zach rule his kingdom.

  CHAPTER FIFTY

  Nine days after the peace group had left Homar they came to a sharp bend in the river
. Jacob recognized it from the description Kaleez, the Giant of Homar, gave him. They beached the dugouts. From this point, they would head overland to the Wanderer village. As they traveled overland, the conversation was held to a minimum in order for them to concentrate on the dangers lurking nearby and in the distance.

  They had not encountered any problems the first four days on the land trip. They made camp and the women were in a quiet discussion of their own. Evette tuned out. Her thoughts were on the mental scars from her horrible encounter with the mutants. She was a Tall One and did not have the curvaceous figure of the Kahali women. Her features were delicate, her cheekbones prominent. She carried herself well, though lacking the grace of smaller women. Her nose was not flared as those of many women in Kahali, and she wore her hair longer and pulled together at her neck. Her husband, Gene, and a few friends built a new hut to accommodate for their height a few days after their arrival.

  The closer they drew to the mutant village the deeper in thought Evette went, remembering her horrid experience with the Wanderers. Her thoughts revolved around her two days with the Wanderer mutants. The memories were not pleasant, and she bore an unease she could not cast off. It had been roughly two decades since the experience. At times it seemed as if it took place yesterday. With Kaathi’s gentle help she had recuperated her physical health, which was badly damaged by the mutants. The emotional stability came long afterward.

  The strange and wonderful thing to come out of the experience was the strength of character she had acquired after her recovery. Due to the experience, she was able to help the Sumatians, as an instructor of the Relationship Sessions. She and her husband Gene had shared their experiences, insights and understandings with the Sumatian adults and children for two years before returning to Kahali. It was now many years since she had left her home, and she considered it the most rewarding years of her life and the most joyful. She had Kaathi to thank for the experience.