The Last Sundancer

by Quinney, Karah

  Kaichen dangled precariously from the ridge above as water trickled between his fingers and down his arm. He swung for a moment as he blindly reached out for the handhold that his memory told him was there. The problem was that he could not see the handhold; he could only hope to catch it on the first try. Kaichen swung free and reached with his arms spread open and Amara dangling from his back. Though her weight was slight, it was also a burden that he had not carried when he climbed the cliff face. The extra weight was enough to cause him to misjudge the strength needed to complete the swing through the air. He reached for the handhold and missed.

  Amara gasped but she kept her silence, muffling her cry of fear into the back of Kaichen’s neck. His breathing was a dry rasp as he shifted position and swung once more, straining for the slightest indentation in the rock beside them.

  Amara wanted to shout with joy when he caught the handhold and held on. Within a moment of finding traction Kaichen released his right hand and placed his foot directly upon the rock. One hand kept them anchored in place.

  “My strength is failing.” Kaichen’s fingers ached with the weight of their bodies as he searched for the next placement of his hand.

  “You are Kaichen, son of Shale, the first Sundancer of the people.” Amara’s voice trembled as she spoke the words of strength to Kaichen, her mate, her husband. “You will not fail.”

  Kaichen closed his eyes and reached down as far as his hand could travel. There was another place for his hand and foot, if only he could find it.

  “Remember who you are.” Amara whispered softly and Kaichen blinked, clearing his gaze as he lost his first handhold and they started to fall.

  There was no time to scream or cry out in fear. Amara clenched her arms around Kaichen’s neck and simply held on. If they were going to die, she wanted to linger over the feel of his thrumming heartbeat. She wanted to remember the dark glow of his skin and the sense of masculine strength that Kaichen embodied with his every movement. Before she could grasp her thoughts to her heart and speak words of love to her husband, they were jerked to a halt that jarred them against one another it.

  “What happened?” Amara could no longer hide the shaking of her voice.

  “Amara, you can open your eyes now.” Kaichen’s voice held a smile and he shouted to be heard over the storm. Amara blinked repeatedly before her eyesight became clear. Kaichen had managed to descend the rock face far more quickly than she would have ever expected. She saw that he held out his hand and she watched as the men that stood on the opposite side of the river sent a rope over to them. Before she had time to grasp the danger that they still faced, they were pulled across the river and strong arms lifted her, untying the rope that bound her to Kaichen.

  “Leave her!” Kaichen growled as he gained his feet and lifted Amara into his arms.

  He stumbled once and Amara clung to him, unsure of the tremors that wracked his body. She was shaking so badly that she could not be certain whether she shook him or he shook her.

  “Kaichen!” Tamol ran to catch up with the pair even as the intensity in Kaichen’s eyes seared him with a glance. “There is a fire prepared for you. Warmth is needed for your wife.”

  Tamol was not certain that Kaichen heard him or comprehended his words. There was a feral look in Kaichen’s eyes that warned others not to approach him. He tucked Amara into the warmth of his body as he carried her back to the overhang where his mother rested.

  A fire kept Denoa warm and Kaichen placed Amara next to his mother as he looked around him. Tamol and the others gathered close though they did not speak. Tamol was not the only one that was awed by the feat of strength demonstrated by Kaichen.

  He was not certain that anyone else could have survived such a treacherous descent. His men were silent and watchful. Antuk sat with his back to Kaichen, facing the others. Kaichen’s face showed signs of fatigue and exhaustion. Without speaking Tamol turned from Kaichen and asked his men to prepare a meal from the store of food that they carried. He issued orders in clear, crisp tones, taking charge of his men as he always did.

  Tamol then pierced Pele with a stony glare that would have caused lesser men to flinch. “Did you leave our women and children unprotected?”

  “They are secure in the cliff dwellings that we call home.” Pele did not offer excuses, it was true that he could have remained behind while sending the other men out to search for Tamol, but that was not his way. He preferred to manage difficult tasks on his own instead of sending others to do his bidding.

  “Was there no one else more suited for the role of leader while I was gone?” Tamol’s voice vibrated with an unidentifiable emotion and though the other men managed to avert their eyes, they listened unashamedly.

  “There are other men of our band capable of leading, but I was the one that you selected as leader until your return. I made the right choice for our band.” If Pele felt any uncertainty, it did not show on his face as he spoke to his father.

  “You made the right decision. I offer you my gratitude for taking Denoa into your safekeeping. She is the Beloved Woman of her band. They would be lost without her.” Tamol turned away before Pele could respond and he focused his attention upon the three figures huddled close to the fire.

  Kaichen had his arm around Amara and he was encouraging her to eat more of the food presented to them by Tamol’s men.

  “I cannot eat anything else. I went without food for three days and now my stomach fills easily.” Amara’s words were quietly spoken but the rain had finally stopped falling and her words carried to those within hearing distance.

  “How long were you without water?” One of the men that Tamol led questioned Amara as she lifted her gaze.

  “Three days, almost four.” Amara’s quiet reply was almost lost as the battle hardened warriors around her gasped in shock and surprise.

  “That is not possible.” One of the men called out only to be silenced by his companion who elbowed him in the stomach.

  “It is possible and it happened. Many of you were there with us on the hunt three days ago. You saw Kaichen leave Cloud Bringing Woman behind while we hunted the buffalo, she did not stray from that place of concealment until the rains came.” Tamol was the first to come to Amara’s defense.

  He spared a glance for Denoa’s sleeping form and for a moment he thought that he saw her looking at him with approval upon her face. The fire flickered and as he looked again he realized that it was only an illusion, wishful thinking on his part. Denoa slept the sleep of one that hopes to regain vital strength.

  Upon reaching the fire, Kaichen checked his mother for injuries that could not be seen with the eye. He spoke to her quietly as she assured him that whatever she had suffered would heal in time. Tamol had been relieved to overhear that Denoa had not suffered the violation of rape.

  “Cloud Bringing Woman has great power. She is a fitting mate for Kaichen.” Antuk’s voice held pride and reverence as he spoke to Tamol and his men.

  “But there is not a man amongst us that could survive three days in the heat of the sun without water. How did she do it?” The same warrior that had already suffered a blow from his close friend spoke up again and this time Tamol turned his eyes upon the young man.

  “Helaku, is that you speaking out of turn and asking questions when silence should be your resolve?” Tamol’s voice held mild amusement and so Helaku lifted his head and nodded. “Perhaps Cloud Bringing Woman will share her story with us once she has rested.”

  Tamol was just as curious as the rest of his men. He was glad that Helaku had managed to insert himself into their conversation, not once but twice. He would not go unpunished, for Tamol expected his men to defer to him in all things. It was obvious that Kaichen’s concern was for Amara. He urged her to settle down next to his mother and rest.

  Kaichen shifted so that his body blocked Amara from the others protectively. She still shivered despite the warm clothing that had been given to her. She looked like a lovely child huddled in cl
othing far too large for her as she blinked with fatigue. Denoa shifted to make room for Amara and she took her place beside the other woman.

  She knew without asking that Kaichen would remain nearby for the rest of the night. Tamol’s men were eager to hear her story, but they were also ready to return home now that they had managed to find their leader.

  “My people are in danger.” The softly spoken words were uttered by Denoa and Amara felt deep sympathy for the woman that worried about others despite her injuries.

  “You should rest.” Amara whispered back as fatigue laced her words causing them to slow even as she spoke.

  “You have suffered more than I have. Rest. I am glad that you are well. Tamol and I searched for you but we were set upon by raiders before we were able to help you. We will speak further tomorrow.” Denoa smiled gently as she watched the light flicker over Amara’s features. “I was wrong to object to Kaichen’s choice of lifemate and I hope that you will forgive me in time.”

  Amara wanted to tell Denoa that all was forgiven but weariness claimed her, even as she drifted off to sleep. She was secure in the knowledge that Kaichen was nearby and he would not leave her side throughout the night.

  Tamol spoke to Kaichen across the fire as both men tried to rest despite the driving rain. “The raiders have gone to your village. Many lives will be lost if your people try to fight back against men skilled in battle.”

  Kaichen glanced at the sleeping women. His heart lightened as he saw Amara’s small form shielded by blankets. His mother shifted position in her sleep and he knew the look of intense relief upon his face was not hidden from Tamol. What surprised him was that Tamol’s features were cast in a similar expression. “Will you come with me to stand against the raiders?”

  “I will go with you, but I do not speak for my men. They wish to return to their women and children, many of the men feel that we are secure in our high places, our band has remained unscathed.” Tamol spoke plainly, hiding nothing and Kaichen nodded his head in appreciation.

  “I will not give in to defeat. My people have fought for the right to live peacefully, though it was long ago. The shadow cast by the raiders will soon fall upon your band, but by then it will be too late. I will not be able to come to your aid at that time.” Kaichen did not have to say that if the raiders were successful they would have captives along with them. If the worst happened, Tamol and Farren would be forced to face the raiders by themselves.

  “The raiders are not called the ancient enemy without cause. Your blood is the blood of warriors, from the time before memory, men have fought and conquered those that are weaker and unable to defend themselves.” Tamol was silent for a time as the fire spoke for them.

  “Your way is not my way.” Kaichen’s voice was firm. He had already told Tamol that he would not join his band and he would not seek power or glory. More than anything, Kaichen wished for a simple life, but that was not to be.

  “I am certain now that we should have remained upon the path set by your father.” Tamol’s rueful laugh caused some of the men to rouse and turn their heads his way. Kaichen knew that Tamol referred to Shale’s desire to see each man armed and ready to protect the band of their birth. “Had I only turned my steps to walk upon a different path, we would be prepared to face this newest threat.”

  “Can you convince your men to stand at my side in a battle against the raiders? A show of strength might be all that is necessary to turn back the raiders. With your men and Farren’s band we are almost evenly matched, though still outnumbered.” Kaichen voiced his request even though he was almost certain of Tamol’s answer. The regret present in Tamol’s voice gave Kaichen hope. There had to be a way to stand against the raiders and bring about their defeat.

  When Tamol remained silent Kaichen lifted his head and held his gaze steady. “Do you know what one of the raiders threatened me with while he had me bound and at his mercy? He did not threaten me with my own death, though that was a certainty. As a man, as a warrior, I expected as much if not worse. But instead, he told me that he would take the women and children of my people and he would force me to watch as they were slaughtered, raped and tortured. What type of man can speak of such things, let alone threaten to do them with a sincere heart?”

  “The raider’s ways are not your ways, but even I am disturbed to hear talk of such things.” Tamol felt a responsibility to stand beside Kaichen in the fight to come. Yet, there was no gain for him and too many had already died. Tamol wanted to defeat the men that had caused so much harm and his anger was incited further each time Denoa shifted as she tried to escape the pain of her bruises with sleep.

  “Did you see what one of the raiders did to my mother?” Kaichen’s voice trembled with fury as Tamol lifted his head.

  “I would kill the man for it if I could. But I cannot force my men to fight a battle that they do not want and I cannot force Farren to stand beside me.” A deep sigh came from the depths of Tamol’s chest. “The men are disheartened and seek to return home.”

  “If you return to your high dwelling places, you will have peace for a time.” Kaichen shifted so that he faced the man directly. He looked at Tamol and saw the heart of the man sitting before him. “But the time will come when the raiders will turn their attention to your band and then they will come up against you like a sudden storm of sand. You will wish that you had heeded my entreaty at that time, but it will be too late.”

  “You speak as if the decision was simply made. It is a difficult thing and though I am the leader of strong men, I have no doubt that they need something to believe in other than one man, one leader.” Tamol’s age showed as he turned away from the fire, casting his eyes over the huddled forms of his men. “Give them something to believe in and you will earn their loyalty. I will not stand in your way.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The morning dawned with streaks of red and brilliant flashes of orange. These were the last days before the cold season came upon the land, breaking the grip of brutal heat.

  Amara sought Kaichen and she was glad that he was near. Kaichen spoke in low tones to his mother and Denoa smiled at Amara when she caught her gaze.

  “All is well.” Denoa murmured though the bruises upon her face and body appeared harsher in the daylight. “We must return to the village and see to the wellbeing of our people.”

  “Rest. We will make ready, but until that time I would ask that you remain still.” Kaichen’s throat worked as he considered the woman that was his mother.

  She had always seemed strong and unbreakable, but now she appeared weak and fragile. The blazing anger that he felt toward her had fallen away completely.

  Perhaps it was the knowledge that Denoa had been injured trying to save Amara or perhaps it was that he simply saw her for what she truly was. A woman. A mother that had tried her best to live up to the burden entrusted to her.

  Amara was right. Denoa was not to blame for the sins of her father. She could not have known what the man would do to her young sons. No one could have foreseen such a thing. For the first time the gentle bond of mother and son was welcomed by Kaichen.

  Tamol’s men were eager to leave but first many of the men asked to hear the story started by Amara the night before. How had she survived three days without water?

  “Amara, the men will leave, they wish to return to their homes. They seek the comfort of their safe cliff dwellings.” Kaichen could not keep the simmering anger out of his voice. He had not been able to sway the men on his own.

  “But your mother’s people are in danger. Tamol and his men must help us.” Amara had not considered that the men would refuse but Kaichen’s face was grim.

  “I have tried to reason with them, but I cannot convince them to do my bidding. If they are to fight at my side, it must come from them, from within.” Kaichen told Amara that Tamol would remain with them for a time, but his men planned to return home. “Some of the men wish to hear your story. They wish to know how it was that you survived thre
e days without water.”

  Amara’s first inclination was to refuse. She was angry. Her village had been destroyed by Ni’zin’s raiders and no one had been able to stop him.

  Those that were able to fight had done so and those unable to stand and fight had refused to run. Her mother had fallen under the onslaught of arrows aimed at her people. She did not want to see another village decimated by the raider’s thirst for power. Kaichen shifted so that he stood before her and Amara raised her head in expectation.

  “Amara, tell the men your story, perhaps it will sway them to join the fight that has already come to our village. Yet, if their hearts are set then remember that nothing will make them turn aside from the course that they have chosen.” Kaichen was surprised by the grateful nod of Amara’s head and he raised his eyebrows in question.

  “You have never asked anything of me, not during the time when you protected me from the raiders or during the journey to reach your mother’s people. You never asked one thing of me other than that I give you my trust as you vowed to protect me from harm. If this is all that you ask of me, then know that my answer is yes, in truth I would do more for you if I could.” Amara’s voice shook with intensity as she stared into Kaichen’s eyes.

  He stood slowly and her eyes caught the movement of rippling muscle and flesh. She knew the secrets of his heart. She alone understood the burden that he carried upon his shoulders.

  The men grumbled as a few of them spoke of starting their journey home without the others. Kaichen was ready to tell Tamol’s men that Amara did not have to speak, she owed them nothing at all. Amara placed one of her small hands over his and then her words shifted the balance of his world.