by Des Pensable
She set about building funeral pyres near the edge of the river. First a layer of wood, then a layer of bodies, another layer of wood and so on until she had stacked over eighty bodies. She was about to ignite the first pyre when she saw two canoes with several Barra people approaching from up river. ‘Probably a party of hunters,’ she thought. She walked to a tree near the river’s edge, stood still and disappeared as she watched.
The Barra hunters would have expected a welcome home. They were concerned by the lack of people on the shore. As they drew closer they took in the funeral pyres and she saw their worried faces. They pulled into the bank and called for loved ones, as they ran to where they expected to find them, but no one answered. They came back to the funeral pyres to see their loved ones amongst the dead. They threw their arms in the air and swore vengeance on whoever had committed this deed.
Miranda thought that it was time to appear, so she walked forward holding the palms of her hands up and forward to show she was not carrying any weapons. She spoke the expected greeting and waited. The Barra people knew her and respected her greatly. They came over to her and went down on their knees, crying and asking for her help. They said that something terrible was happening and the spirits must be punishing them.
She told them of the attack by the cats and the Thunder Lizard and apologized for not having been able to stop it. She told them she had been forced to flee and had returned, and it was she that had moved the dead to the funeral pyres. She apologized for touching their relative’s bodies in her effort to honour them, as there had appeared to be no one left alive. They thanked her for her kindness and invited her to stay and grieve with them. They found and offered her the ceremonial loincloth, and apologized for not singing the welcome song. She told them she understood.
As sunset approached, a dozen terrified Barra women and children cautiously crept back into the village, and a few more canoes with hunters returned to join the sorrowful assembly. The group of seven that she had saved by attacking the cat which had blocked their escape returned, recognized and thanked her profusely. She again apologized for not having been able to help, as she had been one against so many. They understood. No single person could have withstood the attack of a Thunder Lizard, let alone one assisted by several cats.
Miranda helped the distraught Barra people where she could and then later, sat down by herself near the edge of the river in the dark thinking about the tragedy. All the Barra elders, the shaman and his assistant had been killed. The remainder, after some discussion, had elected one of the older hunters to be their new leader, but they still lacked a shaman, which was so very important in their society. He was the song leader who controlled their strange form of magic. Without him they would be at a great disadvantage, having no magical protections and may not be able to send off the spirits of their dead in the traditional way.
The new headman gave a loud and emotional eulogy to the dead, and then instructed the pyres to be lit. As the fires began to burn, two of the men started beating drums that continued on into the night. As the shaman and his assistant had also been killed, one of the older females began singing a sad song that was soon taken up by those present, as they stood watching the flames and contemplated their losses and the future. When the fires died down they began a dance around the ashes of the pyres, keeping in time with the drumbeat and singing loudly.
Miranda was invited to join in, and did so willingly, dancing to the drumbeat and singing sad songs she didn’t know. Periodically, someone would leave the dance and take over the drumming so the previous drummers could join in the dance. Sometime after midnight she was feeling too tired to continue, and decided to leave the dancers for a rest. No one appeared concerned, so she walked down to the edge of the river and sat resting against a tree, looking out over the water.
The night was hot and still and would normally be filled with the noises of insects, frogs and a variety of other nocturnal creatures. However, the continual drumming had exerted a dampening effect on the creatures in the surrounding jungle, making it unusually quiet. All seemed to share the Barra peoples’ sorrow.
She was pondering the day’s events when a strange sight greeted her. A boat in full sail with strong lights directed from the bow and sides came speeding up the river at an unnatural pace, making little noise other than the water spraying off the bow. As it approached the village, the wind driving it seemed to die and it started to slow as it was steered toward where she sat.
She had heard of people using magic wind to drive craft but never seen it done before. She stood back ten paces from the water’s edge as the boat slowed down and eventually ran aground on the muddy bank. The lights on the craft were fitted with reflectors that projected the light forward, but it was hard to see who was on the boat. She hoped that they were friendly, as it wasn’t an occasion for another fight. A moment later she was hailed by a gruff voice with a flurry of questions.
‘Ye there. What on Mudrun’s going on here? Where be the Barra people? Where be the headman? What be all that drumming?’
There was a series of splashes as three men jumped out of the boat and fanned out along the water’s edge with weapons and lanterns in hand. A fourth, a short robust male, the person asking the questions, then jumped out and walked up to her.
‘A bloody druid, I might have guessed. What are yer doing here? Upsetting me Barra friends with yer witchcraft no doubt.’
Miranda was quite insulted.
‘How dare you speak to a druid in that tone of voice! Who are you to be asking questions and calling a druid a witch? I am the law here!’ she said defiantly with her hands on her hips.
Belloe looked at her and realized that perhaps he had been a bit rude. He had heard the drums beating for the last hour and was worried and apprehensive about what was happening. He’d been in the jungle a lot and experience had told him that this continual drumbeat meant trouble and death. ‘Another bloody nuisance woman,’ he thought, but changed his manner to be considerably more conciliatory.
‘Me name is Belloe. I’m in charge of this expedition in search of medicinal plants. We are here to visit me old friend, Bintil, the headman of this village to seek his help. Can yer please tell me what has happened here, Milady?’
‘That’s a bit better,’ said Miranda still annoyed at Belloe’s tone
‘The village was attacked today and more than eighty Barra people were killed. They are currently having a ritual dance for their dead. The headman that you knew is dead, as is the shaman. I suggest that you camp until morning and then talk to the new headman, although I wouldn’t count on any help from them.’
‘The bastards!’ exclaimed Belloe. ‘I’m sorry, Milady. That’s not good news at all. Do yer know who attacked the village? Were it poachers?’
‘It’s possible, but it was a most unusual attack like none I’ve seen before,’ she said. ‘It was a group of seven or eight jungle cats and a Thunder Lizard.’
‘Yer got to be jesting!’ said Belloe. ‘Yer’d never get those animals together in a month of blue moons, let alone see them cooperate in attacking a village full of little people.’
‘Normally, I’d agree,’ she said. ‘But I arrived while it was happening, and could do little to change the outcome. I had to flee and hide like the others.’
Zephira was still sitting in the bow where she had spent most of the trip. She was only a few paces away in the dark and recognized Miranda’s voice. As she jumped out of the boat she called,
‘Miranda! It’s me Zephira. I need to talk to you and Aquitain. Is he here?’
Miranda stood her ground as Zephira hurried up to her and they met face to face in the glow of the lanterns. Zephira could see a feral hostility burning in Miranda’s eyes. They were like those of a jungle cat about to attack.
‘Go back to Twin Towers, Zephira! He’s mine now. He doesn’t need anything from you.’
Zephira stepped back a pace in fear. There was no doubt that Miranda considered Aquitain her property no
w and considered Zephira a threat. She would fight without reservation and Quab was not here to moderate. If Goth was triggered to defend her it could get nasty. She had to back off fast and carefully.
She had to admire Miranda. The princess knew what she wanted and would defy the gods if they stood in her way. She reluctantly admitted to herself that this was a fitting partner for her much loved cousin.
‘I’m not here to fight you Miranda, or to take him away from you. I know you’ve done your best to protect him and I want to thank you for saving his life. I’m here to bring important news from our grandfather, and perhaps help if you wish. If not we’ll return to Twin Towers.’
‘Who yer talking about?’ asked Belloe suddenly curious about the confrontation.
‘Go about your business,’ said Miranda venomously and Zephira nodded.
‘Err ... me apologies ladies,’ replied Belloe, backing away from the two women.
‘We’ll camp here tonight and see what we can do ter help in the morning.’ He called to his men to stand down and unpack the camping gear, but mumbled to himself how he knew that bringing Zephira and her metal monster on this trip was going to cause trouble. Seconds later, Zephira was joined by Goth and Chantalot.
‘By the Lady, you’ve brought a bloody circus with you,’ said Miranda. ‘We’re not on a picnic or at a party, Zephira. There’s been a massacre of little people here this afternoon and nobody’s in the mood for a fair.’
‘I realize that Miranda. Please calm down. We were sent here by the High Wizard to offer help and not to hinder you in any way. You are in charge. We will leave if you want us to, but please listen to the news I’ve brought first. It may be important to what you and Aquitain decide to do,’ said Zephira, trying hard to be as conciliatory as possible.
Miranda finally calmed a little.
‘All right, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Tell me your news. I’m tired, and it will be a big day tomorrow.’
‘Thank you, Miranda! There are important things that you and Aquitain should know about. Is he here?’ asked Zephira carefully.
‘No,’ said Miranda. ‘Your trip here has been wasted, he’s at Twin Towers.’
‘By the Powers, why did he return there? It’s probably more dangerous there than it is here. We should speak in private.’ And she led Miranda aside so they wouldn’t be overheard, and told her about the attack on the town and the arrival of their grandfather; and especially about the mask.
Miranda finally accepted that Zephira wasn’t there with any ulterior motive and relaxed a little. She told Zephira how Aquitain had died, and how she had borrowed one of her mother’s magical items to reincarnate him, and what he was like as a bear. She told her how she had left him in the safety of the Crin, only to find out yesterday that he had fully recovered and been tossed out of the Crin city by the Queen. She said that she had managed to find him again and they had gone to visit the Jeti people to return their treasures, and only then found that the mask had been stolen.
Since they were not sure where the mask had been taken, they had split up to track it down. Aquitain had gone to the town to advise them that it was missing, while her task had been to see if the Crin were involved; she had discovered the problem here with the Barra people on the way. Both women agreed it was quite possible that the mask might have caused what had happened this afternoon to the Barra people. Consequently, if it was in the area then they had a chance to track it down and catch it, and Miranda conceded that they could use some help.
Chantalot hovered twenty paces away from the two women seriously worried about what he should do if they suddenly started fighting. Both women were very suspicious about each other’s motives. He knew that Zephira was intensely jealous of Miranda being so close to Aquitain. She loved him like an over protective sister, and would readily fight Miranda if she felt he was in danger. He could now see by Miranda’s reaction that she loved him as well, and would readily fight if she felt threatened by Zephira. With Goth present it was a recipe for tragedy.
He was intensely relieved and proud of Zephira when he heard them chuckling together. Somehow she had managed to restrain herself. Somehow she had managed to accept another woman in Aquitain’s life. Finally she had decided to let Miranda have a bit of slack. Thank the gods. He didn’t want to be present when either Aquitain or his brother Featherdown pointed the finger at him and asked why he had presided over a disaster.
Finally the two women separated and Zephira came over to join him.
‘That was a close call,’ he said.
‘Actually I‘m rather relieved.’ she said. ‘Aquitain’s soft and sentimental in many ways, but so mentally strong and powerful in others. I’ve always been worried about who he would end up with. I would be happy with her in the family and she is welcome to look after him. I’d rather look after you and I'd better not catch you chasing any other women. I’m rather good with a knife.’
‘I knew I should have stayed at Twin Towers,’ jested Chantalot.
‘Perhaps we can find a reason to be here,’ she said. ‘Let’s go back to our tent,’ and they left arm in arm followed by Goth.
Chapter 30 The Barra Ritual
Miranda was happy. Zephira had finally capitulated. She had made it plain that she would not interfere with Miranda and Aquitain’s plans, and he was now solely Miranda’s responsibility. The real problem was that Aquitain had not yet made it clear what he wanted, and she worried that he might not feel the same way she did. Why was it all so complex, she wondered, but already knew the answer - the gods wanted them to do something very special, and very likely they wouldn’t be truly together until after they had completed the quest.
For the first time but not the last, she questioned the Lady’s motives. What game was her goddess playing? What were the stakes and who were the other players? What was her part and what was Aquitain’s part? She had seen the dormant power behind his eyes and knew that if he attained the power hidden there they were in for a hell of ride. All she wanted to know was whether he really cared for her as she did for him. If he did, then the gods would get their money’s worth and more from both of them.
Miranda was so emotional that she could hardly sleep. She lay there thinking about Aquitain. He could change into a newman and his equipment was now fully functional. Was he deliberately not changing because it would be too hard for the two of them? She wanted to hug and kiss him. Was he afraid that he might lose control? Perhaps he was right, perhaps it was better that he stayed in bear form. Sometime in the early morning she dropped asleep, and before she knew it the dawn sun shone on her face.
Just after sunrise, she strolled into Belloe’s camp on the edge of the river. All of Belloe’s team were wide-awake. They had apparently had little sleep. The thought of a Thunder Lizard wandering around had them on edge. While few people in Mudrun had seen these huge lizards, most had heard of them and this group had experience with one. Those who knew of it called it ‘Quick Death’. It was very big, tough, fast and lethal. If Quick Death was around then they would pack up and go back to Turtlehaven and wait a month until it went away. No one in his or her right mind would go hunting with it around.
Miranda stopped outside the tent with the construct standing beside it and examined the metal beast thoroughly. It didn’t invoke any feeling in her at all. It was just a killing machine and had no real place in the jungle. It seemed like overkill to send it here to fight the mask, but perhaps the mask had some nasty hidden features that they didn’t know about. It was always better to have too many weapons than too few.
‘Impressive isn’t it? How do you think it would rate against a Thunder Lizard?’ asked Belloe.
Almost on cue Zephira strolled out of her tent yawning, followed by Chantalot. ‘I guess a few hours sleep is better than none,’ she said. ‘Hello Miranda, did you sleep well?’
‘No. Not really. I have a lot on my mind. There’s been so much happening lately that it’s hard to keep track. Aquitain is due back at the Je
ti village this morning and I need to fly over there to tell him you are here. Then I’ll have to fly back with Alpha as a teleport marker so that he can get here, as he can’t fly yet. However, I think that the Barra people expect us to have a meeting sometime this morning, before I leave.’
‘He can use Goth as a teleport marker. That might save you a flight back,’ replied Zephira.
‘Really! That would certainly save us some time and effort. We’ll do that. Thanks for the suggestion Zephira,’ said Miranda.
Belloe was listening in and wondering why the two women who last night had seemed ready to kill each other were now so friendly.
‘I’ll never understand them,’ he thought. ‘I wonder who this fellow is that they keep talking about? He must be a real lady-killer to have two women like these fighting over him. I wonder where the bard fits in?’
A few moments later, a young Barra boy ran into the camp and stopped in front of Miranda. He looked her in the face and said.
‘Loma, our new headman is wanting you to be coming to the meeting. They are going to be having a tribal council. I will be leading you there if you are liking it.’
Miranda turned to the others and said.
‘They are having a tribal council. You might as well all come, but don’t speak unless asked. After what happened yesterday, these people are going to be very upset; and I would rather that none of it is directed at us.’
They followed the Barra boy with Zephira at the back of the group, and the construct several paces behind her. When the group walked into the centre of the village, which was just outside the community shelter and shaded by a large mango-like fruit tree, all eyes turned towards them but they only saw one thing: Goth.
The new headman, Loma, quickly ran forward to Miranda and asked her what evil she was bringing into the village. She said that his people should not be alarmed, as it was a mindless warrior controlled by one of the group. It would not harm them but would instead fight for them.
