by Emil Toth
“Lana, it is good to see you. Where is your husband?”
“He died three years ago.”
“I am so sorry.”
“It was for the better. He was sick and death was a blessing.” Lana’s lips quivered. “What about Gene? Is my son dead?”
“No, no. He is alive. He could not make the trip. This peace committee had to stop in the Wanderer village and he was not strong enough to do it.”
“Why is he not strong? Is he sick?”
“When we left, we had run into the mutants. Our attempt at fleeing them failed. When they caught up with us, they did many unspeakable things to our bodies. He was not ready to face them again and relive the horror.”
Tears filled Lana’s eyes and cascaded down her face. “He was such a sweet boy. I was surprised when he went with you. It had to have taken great courage on his part to go.”
“He is indeed sweet and showed his courage by trying to save us. He fought valiantly against five and six mutants at once. They beat us unmercifully. Both of us would have perished had it not been for Kaathi coming to our rescue.”
“The woman rescued you from the mutants? How was it possible?”
“She is an extraordinary woman. When I have more time, we will sit and I shall tell you about her.”
“Please. If it is possible I would like to thank her myself.”
“I will try to arrange a meeting. I have to get back in the receiving line.”
People were still lined up waiting to ask questions from the Kahali people. Shortly, Adama informed them the meal was ready.
The meal was set out in the synod meeting hall. There were three tables set. The Ebiji synod and their wives sat on one side of them and the Kahali contingent on the other.
Elgar seated across from Adama questioned the synod leader, “As we approached your village I noticed you are growing a number of different crops and men tending cattle. How long have you domesticated cattle?”
“It has been many generations. Some of the cattle is not butchered. We keep them alive and take the blood from them to consume it but not so much that it would kill the animal.”
“Interesting. I do not know of any other village using cattle blood as you do. Does everyone have a parcel of land on which they grow their crops?”
“No everyone helps maintain the whole farm,” answered Adama.
“We maintain individual plots. As yet we have not domesticated any animals except for dogs,” responded Elgar. He abruptly changed the subject. “I have always been impressed by Evette’s tallness.”
“Our stories tell us we are direct descendants of the giants of the Watusi tribe. While the bloodline is not pure any longer because of the catastrophic events of the past, most everyone in Ebiji is tall. Can I ask you how Kacy, of the Uchakwa clan, came to be with you?”
Elgar shared the story of Kaathi’s adventure to visit the Ancients and how she saved Kacy.
“I also saw the man named Marcel has some mutant heritage.”
“Again, Kaathi brought Marcel’s mother and her husband back from her first trip. They were the last two alive of the Searcher Trib. She rescued Marcel’s father, Durga, a Wanderer half mutant from his leader, Carch.”
“Kaathi seems to be an adventurous woman. What drives her?”
“With all the dangers present on any journey, frankly, Adama, I do not know. I know she has been on more adventures than anyone in Kahali.”
“So others have become adventurers?”
“Some of the Kahali men have taken to exploring the country. None with the purpose she has in mind.”
“And she is your High Priest and healer?”
“Yes.”
“Those are two divergent positions. How on earth did she come by them?”
“It is an intriguing story. She was an apprentice Talker Healer and her mentor was killed by the High Priest.”
“Killed by your High Priest? He must have been an evil man.”
“He was. We assigned a man to be our temporary High Priest. He held the position for a year and felt inadequate in the position. He refused to permanently take the position. Kaathi accepted the duties because of her spiritual nature. Her teachings released us from a vengeful god and she introduced us to a loving one. It was also a significant decision for the council, for she was instrumental in creating the peace treaty proposal.”
“She seems unassuming and yet is brave and more adventuresome than most men. She is an amazing woman,” Adama said admiringly.
“Yes she is,” agreed Elgar. “She also was instrumental in developing the Relationship Sessions in Homar and Sumati and the Spiritual Awareness Services.”
“Can you tell me more about each one?”
Elgar went on to outline what both sessions were about. The conversations at the tables were spurred on by questions on either side. When everyone was ready to retire, the nine synod members opened their homes to the visitors. Evette went home with her mother and father.
Inside her old home, Evette raised her eyebrow. “Since when have the wives of the synod been able to sit at such an auspicious function as today?”
“The year after you left the head of the synod died and I was appointed the head. I insisted our wives sit with us at special functions and they have for the past twelve years.”
Adama looked at his wife lovingly and continued, “I think you should know soon after you left, your mother became despondent and took ill and has never been the same. I knew the cause of her condition was due to you leaving. I thought a great deal about how a broken heart can affect a person. The change in your mother’s personality clearly indicated the great loss she suffered.”
Adama’s eyes were teary as he went on with his explanation, “I saw how my stubbornness drove you away from us to seek utopia. I grew concerned my actions might have made you ill as well. I was heartsick. You were gone and your mother was sick all because I was stuck in my ways, the ways of our traditions. I thought of all the things you wanted to have changed. It took two years before I got up the courage to tell the men of the synod we needed to seriously look at giving honor and respect to our women. It took another three years of hounding them to see the first article of change to appear on our agenda. Within a year we had six articles securing rights and privileges for women. Basically, all of them were introduced to us by you. So, my dear, you have had a great influence upon me and the synod.”
Her mother smiled at her. “I and all the Ebiji women are indebted to you.”
Evette was weeping. Her mother gathered her in her arms and lovingly stroked her hair, saying, “It was all because of you… It was all because of you.”
Evette stood back from her mother and smiled warmly saying, “It is gratifying to hear it has come to pass. Frankly, what is giving me joy is Father has come to realize your worth and mine and of all women. My heart is bursting with joy.”
Evette turned to her father. “I am so proud of you Father.”
“I have learned much from you, my child,” confessed Adama.
“So, do we have any grandchildren? You need to keep our family genes alive.”
“You do, Mother. Our son, Cirsum, is seven and our daughter, Katiya is five. They are wonderful, well behaved children. I left them in Gene’s capable hands.”
“I wish you could have brought them all with you,” lamented her mother.
“It would have been hard on them.”
“I am interested in what you were teaching and learning,” said Adama.
Evette went on in detail about the years she and Gene spent in Sumati and everything they were learning from Kaathi into the darkening sky. Evette finished her tales and was ready to climb onto her sleeping pad and found her parents had never removed it from its original place. Even in the dark, mother, father and child could not stop asking questions and reminiscing. After her parents had fallen asleep, thoughts of her childhood and young womanhood flooded her. She smiled often in the dark.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
> Two days later the nine man synod met in private with the peace group and by the end of the day agreed to ratify the treaty. The moment the meeting was concluded Evette told Kaathi about her mother’s desire to talk with her. Kaathi did not have anything pressing and she walked arm in arm with Evette to her parents’ home. Kaathi warmly embraced Nyah and Adama as introductions were made. Nyah fussed over Kaathi, sensing something special about the young woman. Kaathi was at Nyah’s side as she made tea. She rubbed the older woman’s back, asking about her health and praising her for the wonderful job she did raising Evette. The mystic made her feel appreciated and loved. Nyah spirits were buoyed with the presence of her daughter and Kaathi. She happily poured the tea for all of them and sat down.
“I am glad you wanted this private chat Nyah. I imagine you want to know about my relationship with your daughter. I will pass over the hard times and talk about the good times. Some years ago we came upon Evette and Gene and I asked them to accompany us to Kahali. Both of them were interested in expanding their understanding of life and came to our Relationship Sessions and the Spiritual Awareness Services. Mainly due to their experiences and interests in the sessions, I asked them to come with me on my visit to Sumati. I saw the Sumatians were in need of growing emotionally. It was easy to see Evette and Gene were perfect to teach the children and adults about the correct way to conduct relationships. It involved a lot of the principles Evette had brought before the synod. They did a fantastic job and were highly complemented by Chief Victor. They have also contributed many times to the Kahali Relationship Sessions.”
Kaathi went on to explain some of the basics of respect, kindness and acceptance and other traits, which were introduced and stressed in the sessions by the instructors.
“Evette and Gene have impressed me with their sincerity to help people and their clarity of thought. They bring to the sessions life experiences vital and pertinent to the discussions.
“Evette and I have discussed a little about what I am going to present to you, Adama. With the synod’s permission, and with Evette and Gene’s acceptance I would like them to return next year and conduct the Relationship Sessions here and in time the Spiritual Awakening Services.”
Evette waited for her parents’ response.
Adama did not have to think long before he answered, “I think most of us in Ebiji would benefit from the instruction. It is a positive approach to enrich our lives. If Evette agrees, I can speak to the synod and have an answer whether they will accept your gracious help before you leave.” He looked at his daughter. “What are your thoughts my dear?”
Evette found it hard to believe she heard her father saying what he did. They had engaged in many disputes over the very thing he was agreeing to now. He and the council were stuck in tradition the year she and Gene left her home in search of freedom. “I love the idea. I think Gene will jump at the chance to return and see his family.”
She threw herself on Kaathi nearly knocking the smaller woman to the ground. She grabbed her in time and crushed her to her breast.
“Thank you, thank you.”
“Seeing you happy gives me joy, Evette.”
Evette kept weeping. “All our suffering and humiliation was for nothing. We should have stayed here.”
Evette stopped crying and Kaathi took her hands and spoke lovingly to her. “It is true all you worked for and desired would have come to pass. The difference is in what you now have to offer because you left. Your courage and newfound strength, which is so much a part of you, would never have developed in your character had you remained here. You had to suffer to grow, so you could share what it taught you.
“Returning and sharing your experiences will give your people a much greater appreciation of you. They will respect you more than had you not left. You have gone places and done things the villagers have not. You are a woman of the world and will receive the accompanying respect.”
Adama immediately saw what Kaathi said was true. “I cannot agree more. Your experience has made you a heroine and a teacher. We desperately need you my dear.”
Nyah’s eyes were shining with tears and her heart was swelling with joy and pride. Her heart had broken the moment Evette told her of her desire to leave home in search of utopia. The loneliness was over. Her child was coming home. All was well again. For Nyah this was utopia.
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
The travelers had left Ebiji days ago and the weather grew a bit cooler as they made their way farther north. Sharika knew it would not be long before she saw familiar signs along the river to tell her they were near her home village. She had left her home years ago and wandered off in search of a husband and new adventures. It will be good to create new memories with mother and father and talk of the old ones.
Evening arrived and Ashlee took advantage of the fact Sharika was resting and soaking her feet in the river. She sat next to her. “Are you happy you married Janos and not the prince?”
Sharika cocked her head and looked at the lovely woman next to her. “Upon first meeting you I would have told you you were getting far too personal with your question. You, Kaathi and others have taught me to not be so closed and reserved. I have discovered personal things in my life can also benefit others, if I am open and willing to share. I will answer by saying, while living next to the chief, I saw how often he was besieged by everyone. Being a queen would also present a great deal of similar responsibilities. I did not want it to be my life. As tempting as Zach’s offer to be his princess was, I am happy with Janos. What about you, are you content being one of Jacob’s three wives?”
Ashlee looked away briefly to gather her thoughts. “I had two fears about falling in love with Jacob. The first was his having two wives and the other was he would press me into making love. My first fear was dissolved in my first meeting with Keri and Scarlet. I saw reluctance and concern in their eyes at first. After I opened my heart and made myself vulnerable, I shared my story with them. They reciprocated and opened their hearts to me and I was accepted into the family. We are as close as.
“Going to my second fear, Jacob had reassured me several times he would not press me into making love. He assured me the decision was mine. I have to admit I did not believe him. I had eighteen years of being brutally abused and I did not trust men. It was only after we were married for nearly a year I truly believed him. I also learned from others Jacob’s word is sacred to him. So, to give you an answer to your question, I am extremely content being married to him.
“I have another for you. Are there any men in Hun Nation you have strong feelings for even now?”
“Ah, I had a few such relationships. One man was especially hard to leave. I wept several evenings, thinking of him. Looking back on everything I have done, I have no regrets. I had good friendships with a handful of women back home rivaling those I have with you, Kaathi, Scarlet, Marie, Mara and Evette.”
“What made the other relationships endearing?”
“We grew up playing together. We shared our fears, happiness, desires and love. We also fought by each others side and discovered we would die for each other. I have similar feelings with you and the others although I did not grow up with you. You are different then them because you have made me think in terms of my spiritual growth and of being aware of what I am doing and why I am doing it. I had some awareness back home; it was never in terms of how it might affect humanity.”
“Kaathi does have an effect on nearly everyone she meets,” admitted Ashlee. “Did you have anyone in your village like her?”
“No. As I look back on my life, there were several men and women who were, oh what is the term I want to use… they were introspective. And what about you. Were there any decent mutants?”
“Only Gwen. Everyone else was mean, aggressive and abusive. I think she was different because I gave her attention and love.
“Did Kaathi ever tell you the story of how important love is?”
Sharika shook her head.
“During the
second of the horrible world wars a great many parents were killed and their babies and tiny children were orphaned. The children were kept in huge houses, where ladies taking care of them were too few in number. Nearly all of the babies died even though they were fed and sheltered. Someone did a study after the war and determined the deaths were due to a lack of sufficient touch and love. Kaathi explained to me many times how love and touch is more important than food.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
The sky was crystalline blue and a pleasant breeze cooled the travelers. White, fluffy clouds dotted the sky. Sharika’s excitement grew as she recognized sites from her past. She was certain today would be the day her people’s drums would announce their presence. She was correct.
Jacob noticed the river was twice the width it was in Homar. He saw Sharika keenly searching the right riverbank all morning and was not surprised to hear the drums. At noon the dugouts approached the village of the Hun Nation and were greeted by the whole village.
The travelers showed their palms indicating they meant no harm. As they paddled toward the shore, where the mass of Huns were collected, the locals recognized Sharika and greeted her with applause. Sharika picked out her mother and father and waved to them. Next she saw Chief Atti and waved to him. A few local men helped beach the dugouts.
Jacob’s eyes swept the people on shore. He took note all of the women looked fit, while maybe not as muscularly defined as Sharika, they were close to it. The whole community was a fighting force. While their male population was somewhat less than Kahali’s, if the Hun women were part of their attack force, they would number one and a half times as many as Kahali.
Sharika dashed to her mother and threw her arms around her. They wept and kissed each other.
“I thought I would never see you again my child.”
“I knew I would return. I did not know when, Mother. It is so good to see you and Father.”
She turned to her father, embraced and kissed him.
