The Last Sundancer

by Quinney, Karah

  Exhausted beyond measure, sleep clouded out her thoughts and swept her away.

  Kaichen felt Amara relax into slumber. He felt the undeniable need to protect the woman that slept in his arms but he also felt the burden of responsibility that was always with him. He was careful of her injuries as he encircled her with his arms. She awakened all of his protective instincts and though she did not know it, he was captivated by her every movement.

  Taking his own advice, Kaichen checked to make certain that his throwing spear was close at hand and that his hunter’s knife was within easy reach and then he closed his eyes and forced his body to rest.

  Chapter Three

  “How can it be that we are joined as husband and wife?” Amara’s words were directed at Kaichen and he glanced up with concern upon his face.

  During the night he had come to terms with Azin’s solution. Amara was a woman without family or loved ones to see to her welfare. She had also shown herself to be full of spirit and courage. She would make a fitting wife for him.

  He was convinced that Azin had chosen Amara as his wife with the wisdom of a lifetime lived with both joy and sorrow. Azin had only hastened what Kaichen would have done on his own, if given enough time. The problem was that there was not enough time.

  Kaichen’s time with Azin had come to an end. His heart ached with the need to tell Azin how much he meant to him, how thankful he was that he had been able to come to him and live amongst his people.

  Amara had been startled to learn that they would leave this place and continue on the journey that was set before them long before Kaichen rescued her. She accepted the garments given to her by the women of the village. Among the items given to her was a well-made doeskin dress and moccasins. The dress had been stitched with care and there were even small bits of colorful beading that had been added to give the dress color. Kaichen urged her to accept the gifts, knowing that the women of the village had worked throughout the night to offer her something in parting.

  “Your people suffer each day. Your mother wishes your return, but it will come at great cost to you.” Azin studied the young man that walked with the burden of the world upon his shoulders. “I ask you to remember the way that your father walked. I ask you to remember the story of his life and sing it over the fire so that you never forget.” Azin stood with Kaichen upon the land where his father lived and died.

  He spread his hands over the land and invoked a blessing for Kaichen. His voice lifted to the heavens in a chant that was rarely heard and much revered.

  “I would remain here if I could.” Kaichen’s voice was a raspy whisper that Azin strained to hear.

  The young man always spoke in low tones that were hard to decipher. Azin had grown used to Kaichen’s distinctive voice. As the sun reached its zenith Azin placed his hand upon Kaichen’s shoulder and looked away.

  He would hear of Kaichen’s success or failure. He would know if the boy lived up to his name and the name of his father. Word would spread like the wildfires that often scorched the land.

  From the day of Kaichen’s birth until now there had not been rain except for more than a handful of storms. How much longer could the people live without water from the heavens?

  “Remember that although you go to fight our common enemy, the greatest enemy is the one that lives inside each of us. Do not let doubt creep in and kill that which you will become.” Azin nodded once and then pushed Kaichen forward.

  Kaichen was used to the way that Azin spoke. Often he would not gain the sense of the man’s words for many moons. He had learned to memorize the man’s sayings and repeat them at a later time until he understood their meaning.

  Azin had lived longer than any man that Kaichen have ever known. He was wise and full of knowledge. Kaichen wanted to stay and make life easier for Azin. But the old man told him that he was meant for a great purpose even though Kaichen did not wish to hear his words. All of his life he had been told that he was born to serve a greater purpose yet, he saw no purpose to his life.

  He learned to fight with such skill that no man could take him down. He learned to shoot his arrow while riding at full speed upon his horse. He could wield a boa and hurl it from a great distance to bring down prey. He had learned how to make strong medicine and cure many ailments.

  Azin often said that if Kaichen set his sights upon a goal then there was not anything under the sun that could escape his grasp.

  “I will go with you, Kaichen.” A voice brought Kaichen’s head around and he looked into the eyes of Antuk, Azin’s true nephew.

  “Antuk, you will get yourself killed if you are not prepared to fight for your life.” Kaichen’s eyes clouded with concern.

  Antuk was his closest companion; they were of the same age and often hunted together, though Antuk could not claim to have ever brought in a kill. Azin had finally been forced to name Antuk a man of their small band by age alone, much to Antuk’s shame. Kaichen knew that his friend tried, but Antuk could not claim to have skill with any one task.

  Part of the problem was that he spread his thoughts and ideas thin instead of focusing on one task at a time. Kaichen knew of one skill that his friend had, but it was a secret between them. Antuk would never admit to it, but he wove baskets that were interlocked so tightly that water could not escape the seams. Basket weaving was a woman’s task.

  Antuk would never admit to having any skill when it came to women’s work, but the truth was that he was the greatest basket weaver that Kaichen had ever known. Kaichen kept his friend’s secret. It would only embarrass Antuk further if others knew that he excelled at women’s work but could not do any of the tasks needed to be called a man of his band.

  Kaichen saw Azin’s eyes light with hope. He wished for a different type of life for Antuk. He wanted the best for his nephew, even the people of his band often laughed at the young man, some even teased him to his face. Kaichen always defended his friend, but the problem was that much of what was said was true, though no less hurtful.

  “You can join me on my journey only if you vow to be careful.” Kaichen sighed as he glanced at his friend.

  He kept one hand upon the small of Amara’s back in gentle support as she stood beside him. Her eyes were uncertain and her lips trembled but she did not speak.

  Antuk had a way of finding trouble and stepping directly into it. However, Kaichen could not help but feel his mood lighten over the thought of making the journey to his mother’s people with Antuk at his side.

  “Kaichen, the horse that you have trained from a colt is yours to keep.” Azin knew that his gift was unexpected by the way that Kaichen’s body straightened with surprise.

  Horses were rare and they were not given away except for trade or if a man sought to win a woman to take as his wife.

  “This is good fortune!” Antuk pointed at his own mount and Kaichen stifled a groan. His friend continued to call the donkey that he rode a horse, but the animal often brayed loudly in objection.

  “If your donkey bites my horse’s rear again, I will cause him harm.” Kaichen warned Antuk as both men went to gather their animals.

  “He did not bite your mount, he simply nicked him with his teeth.” Antuk smiled crookedly and Kaichen had to force himself not to use his strength against his friend.

  He wanted to push him once, hard. But he chose not to harm Antuk and not to upset Amara. His friend meant well. It was for this reason that Kaichen insisted that Antuk take the lead as he settled Amara upon his horse and mounted behind her.

  “You did not say farewell to Azin.” These were the first words that Amara had spoken and Kaichen leaned closer to hear her.

  “There is no need to bid him farewell. We have said all that there is to say, long before now. It would only diminish all that has passed between us to speak words now.” Kaichen did not look back as they moved farther away from the village of his youth.

  Antuk had never been one to learn the four directions and Kaichen did not expect Antuk to keep a straig
ht course even though they traveled into the face of the setting sun.

  He urged Antuk to keep his eyes straight ahead and follow the sun’s progress across the sky. Perhaps his friend simply needed someone to show him patience and kindness. Kaichen hoped so.

  At times, even Kaichen’s bottomless well of patience was worn thin. When they crested the top of a grassy knoll Kaichen turned to look back over his shoulder.

  If Kaichen had glanced back he would have seen Azin standing alone as a solitary figure upon the wide open land. The old man carried his walking staff and his arms were locked across his chest in a familiar posture.

  Cohtzen was present and ever silent, as was his way. Azin spoke no further words of farewell and in this way Kaichen knew that the old man hoped that one day they would return. Kaichen hoped that it would be just as Azin wished.

  “May it be so.” Kaichen whispered as Antuk asked him to speak up.

  His friend complained that he could not hear him over the braying of his donkey. Kaichen stifled a groan as he thought of the long days of travel that lay ahead of them. Antuk smiled with anticipation as he cast his friend a hopeful glance.

  Kaichen grumbled under his breath as he corrected Antuk’s sense of direction time and time again. Antuk did not seem to mind the correction or notice that he continued to stray in the wrong direction more times than Kaichen cared to count.

  “Where do you think the luminaries go when the sun gives us a new day?” Antuk’s questions were often surprisingly insightful.

  Before Kaichen could think of a response Antuk shouted with the full power of his voice. The sound carried far into the distance until it came back to them again.

  Kaichen silently nodded in understanding. This was the friend of his youth; Antuk’s attention span was almost nonexistent. Already he had forgotten his question and looked to Kaichen to take his turn yelling as loud as he could. Kaichen did not wish to shout and yell but Antuk’s eyes said that he missed home but did not wish to return. Kaichen shouted as loud as he could, startling Amara and his horse.

  Antuk laughed as Kaichen’s horse pranced in place. Kaichen found that his chest ached with laughter instead of sadness. Perhaps that had been Antuk’s intention all along. Better to cry with laughter, than to weep with bitter sadness.

  More quickly than they thought possible the sun began to make its way to its resting place. Kaichen called a halt to their travels for the day. He selected a shady place with several large boulders that had been warmed by the sun. The weather would cool drastically before the morning light came to warm them again.

  Kaichen walked around the boulders and rocks to make certain that there was no obvious sign of snakes or scorpions. He found a few scorpion holes and he chose a different place for their fire.

  Throughout the day they had stopped to pick up scraps and firewood. Kaichen’s horse carried the majority of their supplies. Antuk’s donkey was known to bulk and Kaichen did not wish to see the stubborn animal run off with their meager supplies.

  The sun set over the land casting the sky with rays of bright red and orange. Kaichen thought that it looked like tendrils of fire thrown across the heavens before darkness claimed the light. It was fitting. Darkness had long ago claimed the light within him.

  Kaichen woke suddenly as was his way. He immediately took in his surroundings. Amara scrambled to her feet as she awoke just as suddenly.

  “Tell her that she is safe.” Antuk spoke to Kaichen. He wanted his friend to reassure Amara that all was well but Kaichen’s eyes were not upon them. His gaze caught and held the sight of clouds gathering in the distance. They were not safe, nor were they likely to live long enough to see the next sunrise.

  Kaichen pointed up into the sky as Antuk eagerly followed his finger. Antuk made a strangled noise as he caught sight of the thing that gave even great men fits of terror.

  “Sandstorm!” There was very little that struck fear in Kaichen’s heart, but the ways of the land and sky heeded no man.

  Kaichen grabbed hold of Amara’s hand. He whistled for his horse and swept Amara up into his arms. They were out in the open with the closest shelter far into the distance. It was not likely that they would make it to shelter before the storm was upon them, but Kaichen had to try.

  As he spurred his horse forward he told himself that he would survive. He was the only hope for his people. Suddenly, he realized that his thoughts and beliefs did not matter, it was what his people believed that mattered and if he did not return to them, all was lost.

  Since the death of his brother, Kaichen had never known a moment where he lived only for himself. Through no wish of his own, he knew that he must fight to live, not for himself, but for the people that shared his blood. If he died, so too would they.

  Amara flinched as Kaichen lifted her onto his horse. She expected him to join her immediately. She had also caught sight of the great sandstorm that had risen out of nowhere and now moved toward them.

  Amara bent over the horse as the man jumped up with one fluid motion and yelled for his horse to run. She saw that the larger man had gained his seat upon his donkey and the smaller animal followed them while bawling pitifully. Amara wanted to scream, but there was no breath left in her body, between the pain in her ribs and the man that pressed his body over hers, holding her against the lathering horse.

  Kaichen knew that he pushed them hard. He also knew that Antuk’s donkey would be hard pressed to keep up with his horse. He could hear the animal bray in panic and still he would not slow. Antuk shouted behind him and Kaichen knew that his friend was close at their heels and his words told him that the storm was moving swiftly their way. If Antuk fell, then Kaichen would be forced to stop, he would not continue on without his friend, they were in this together.

  Antuk’s shout told Kaichen that he was near and he thought that they still had a small chance of reaching safety until he glanced back over his shoulder. For a moment, he wished that he had not looked at all.

  The sandstorm roared behind them and it looked like the yawning maw of a great beast from times long past as it moved swiftly toward them, blocking out the light and stealing away their hope.

  Chapter Four

  Kaichen knew a moment of defeat as the sandstorm whipped around them. Antuk shouted as he called out words that were now indecipherable. Kaichen could no longer hear his own thoughts, every action was instinctive, visceral and wild.

  He felt the wildness that lived inside of him take over the man that he had become. He knew a moment where he was not in control at all, but controlled solely by the instinct to survive.

  He forced his horse to turn and they ran parallel to the storm. Sand blinded him as his horse screamed and Antuk shouted only to have his words swept away by the shriek of the wind. Kaichen forced his horse to run blindly and the animal responded to his command.

  He pressed forward despite the blinding sand and suddenly they were encased in complete darkness. It took Kaichen several moments to understand what had occurred.

  He could not say exactly when he had sensed the large overhang that now shielded them from the storm, but he had recognized their chance for escape by his sheer will to survive. His horse had instinctively run for shelter and he heard Antuk’s heavy breathing behind him.

  Suddenly, Antuk’s laughter filled the cavern and Kaichen grunted as Amara shifted beneath him. They were shrouded in darkness as the storm raged outside. The donkey brayed loudly causing the horse to rear.

  Amara reared back against him with a strangled gasp. Kaichen clicked his tongue and murmured to the animal until it grew calm. He slid from the back of his horse and pulled Amara along with him. She did not protest, perhaps she could not gather the strength to do so.

  Antuk immediately spread his sleeping blanket upon the ground and then piled Kaichen’s blanket on top of it. Kaichen lifted Amara and settled her upon the sleeping furs. She pulled her knees up to her chest and huddled there watching him.

  He knew that she had curled her bo
dy into such a position because his hands were still upon her. He turned her lose as Antuk began to make a small fire. They were not out of danger yet.

  The storm could lash the cavern where they took shelter and there would be no escape. The noise was deafening as the wind howled but Kaichen had to believe that they were safe. For now.

  He stepped away from Amara and spoke to Antuk. Kaichen went to rub his horse down and see to the donkey. Antuk handed Kaichen his full waterskin and watched as Kaichen pooled the water in his hand and offered each animal a drink.

  Amara looked around warily as sand caused her eyes to water. The horse drank thirstily. She could hear it and see dim shadows which spoke of the man’s actions. The donkey pressed his nose against Antuk’s chest, butting against him in dissatisfaction after having only a sip of water, when much more was needed.

  The first tendrils of a fire started with smoke which Antuk mistakenly inhaled. He coughed and sputtered as a spark flew and caught.

  Kaichen watched Amara as she stared at the growing fire. He could not begin to guess at her thoughts but when she threw him a grateful glance, his concern eased. Kaichen finished seeing to the animals and he slid to his knees beside Antuk.

  A sound from Amara captured both men’s attention. Her nearly inaudible sigh sounded like a shout to their ears as the storm suddenly died out. Kaichen watched with raised eyebrows as the woman he had taken as his wife slumped over onto her side.

  A flash of fear startled him. He was instantly at her side only to see for himself that her chest rose and fell with sleep. For a moment, he thought that she had given in to the injuries that still plagued her and when he saw that she was only sleeping the relief that flooded through his body stunned him.

  The shadows under her eyes told him that she was exhausted and no longer able to keep her eyes open. Though their travel must have been difficult on her, she had not uttered a single complaint.