Cage relaxed his fist and stood proudly. Several members went to restrain her until he said “Chala, I deserve more than that for not bringing you. You can do better. No Utala holds back or have you gone soft?”
Chala’s indignation grew as she yelled and tackled Cage to the ground to begin hammering down blow after blow on his head and chest. She sat on his solid abdomen to keep him down though he didn’t struggle. Several went to pull her off him, but Cage erected a barrier to prevent that. The more Chala struck, the more pain he endured. He knew if their positions were reversed he’d do exactly the same if not worse. The strong huntress’s blows began to weaken as she cried, but she didn’t stop the blows till they turned to sobs.
The whole tribe watched, especially a stunned Moril, as Cage sat up and turned the sobbing woman to sit sideways on his thighs and cradle her to his chest. There was nothing sexual about the way he held her, especially with a bloody and swollen face. Her sobbing began to wane as she heard “Feeling better now?”
“Chief, I…” Chala’s eyes widened when she saw what she had done and the blood coating her own knuckles. “Chief, forgive me. I’m so sorry, I didn’t…”
“Yes, you did.” He explained before spitting out a mouthful of blood and a chipped tooth. “I’m not mad. Go and be with your family.”
As he helped her stand she watched as his whole face began to turn bright blue and in moments all the damage was gone, even repairing the chipped tooth, but blood still covered his face. The barrier dropped and Chala became highly embarrassed at her actions and ran from the tribe’s penetrating gaze. Moril gave her chieftain an apologetic look before she and her loves ran off after Chala.
Cage stood and asked “Anyone else need to let off some steam?” The tribe didn’t answer, but Meeka approached with a piece of cloth from their pack and wiped clean the crimson blood.
Elder Metak approached, his silver mane of aged hair flowing in the breeze. He clapped a hand on Cage’s shoulders. “Welcome back, Chief. You and the priestess brought our people home. That was very kind of you to allow Chala to release her anger for not bringing her. She and many of our people were very hurt as you expected… But seeing as the two of you returned with all of our people, the Elders and I return you to position of Chieftain. I would say a feast is in order, but we need every morsel to survive…”
“Do not worry about that. Throw the party since the extra food will be too much to carry when we head to our new home on my island. My skills now can make sure none go hungry.” Cage said.
The Utala began to whisper, but it was Metak who asked “How can something like this be done? We need…”
Cage moved to the bulging packs, retrieved a seed and grew it to maturity before everyone in under two minutes. The corn stood tall and proud among the astonished Utala. “Go ahead, Metak. Take a bite?”
The dubious elder plucked the fat piece of corn, peeled the husk and bit into it and was assaulted by sweet and delicious flavors. He turned to the people to yell “Prepare a feast!” and got a great cheer from the response. Elder Shania and her sister-mates also wished for a bite to be just as surprised and aware that the Utala wouldn’t go hungry and could rejoice again without much worry.
The Utala not of the families who returned rushed for the storage area to retrieve armfuls of food as the fires were stoked for cooking.
Brooke put her child down in the much smaller group to say “Rena, I have a great surprise for you.”
Those intelligent brown eyes twinkled as she said “I have Meeka Mother back with you. What else would I want?” and Rena hugged her mother’s leg again.
“Love’s?” Cage and Meeka turned to Brooke. “Bring Sean over.”
Sean looked around as all of the faces suddenly turned to him as he could no longer hide. “All will be well.” He heard as Daku whispered in his ear. The boy looked into the griffin’s small eyes before he flew over back onto Cage’s shoulder. Daku noticed many eyes turn to him, but he didn’t say anything yet.
Sean’s new mother, Meeka, took him by the hand for reassurance and guided him over with his dad stepping away from seven older people.
Brooke knelt beside her daughter to say “Rena, I would like to introduce you to your new brother, Sean.”
Rena’s eyes widened till the white stood out completely. “Brother? Mother, you aren’t lying? I have a brother? Did Dad and you have a magic baby…”
“No, Child…” Brooke laughed aloud. “He lost his family so we are taking him in as a son.”
Rena turned to get a good look at the boy maybe a year or two older than herself and grinned before squealing and running forward to give him a hug. “Hello my new brother, Sean!”
“Hello, Rena.” He hugged back hesitantly. “Brooke Mother told me much about you.”
Rena pulled away and stared hard at her mother. “What did you tell him?”
“Only that you always wanted a brother.” Sean defended.
“Oh.” Rena turned to say “I’ll be right back to show you to the other children as my brother… I’m going to love saying that! My brother.” Rena giggled and turned. “Meeka Mother!” And Meeka was surprised when the little girl rushed over and tangled up her legs. Meeka picked her up and hugged her surrogate daughter tightly and quietly heard “Meeka Mother, I was so worried I’d never see you again. Welcome home, where you belong.”
With her head turned, Meeka let a tear spill down a cheek before saying “Thank you, Rena. I’m glad to be back here.”
The little girl pulled away to meet her second mother’s watery blue eyes. “Meeka Mother, where are your beads?”
To Utala, beads in their signified not only adulthood, but also what made them special. Getting beads is every child’s dream and they practiced hard to get them.
“The men who captured me cut them off.” Meeka replied.
“Stupid men?” The girl asked.
“Yes, very stupid.”
“Did you kill them for taking them?”
“In fact I did kill at least one stupid man before your brother, mother and dad rescued me.” Meeka smiled.
“Good!” Rena smugly retorted. “Now I don’t have to kill him.” That remark got the group laughing. The girl then brightly lit up again squealing “Dad!”
Meeka set her down and Rena took two steps before Jumping straight in her dad’s arms and got an affectionate squeeze. “Hey, Kiddo! Glad to finally get recognized.” He chuckled.
“Priestess, we’ll be going now.” Zatal said while surrounded by his five beautiful mates and nine children, two being boys. They turned and headed for the center of the tribe to help prepare the feast. Lanna said something similar as she held her joyous son’s hand while leaving with her mates.
“Dad…” Rena giggled and hugged him tightly. “I was… how you said once… saving the last for best.”
“Best for last, Kiddo.” He corrected while putting her down. “Go show your brother around and help out. We’ll talk more later.”
“Yes, Dad.” Rena turned around and took Sean’s hand. “Come, Sean Brother. Let me show you to the others.”
Before he could attempt a reply Rena nearly dragged him towards the teepees and disappeared.
“We better go to the center and help.” Meeka stated while hoisting her heavy pack off the ground.
“There will certainly be questions.” Brooke announced.
Shania stepped closer. “Our tale will likely be shorter I think than yours.”
“We’ll see.” Daku finally spoke and it got wary glances from the elders. Before Cage could make introductions the griffin jumped off his shoulder and grew to the size of a lion in the time it took to reach the ground. The elders reaction to this was for them all to draw their knives defensively. Daku kept his head held high and explained himself to be Cage’s Familiar before strolling away into the camp, eliciting startled cries.
Cage and the others hurried to where the largest teepee stood in the heart of the village, the home of where the c
hief, priestess and their mates are only allowed to reside. They found Daku lounging without a care in the world as dozens of arrows were trained on him. Lanna and the others who have been through much together yelled to vouch for Daku. It would have been hysterical if not for the serious intent to kill from the hunters and warriors. Arrows were finally lowered as the warlock asked “Daku, you could have handled that better.”
“It was more fun to see a few fall over themselves.” He responded smugly.
“The beast can talk?” Someone stated.
“I am no beast.” Daku looked to the humans. “If not for me, none of your people would be alive or be enslaved forever.”
That got everyone’s attention.
Cage set his bags beside the large tent and sat down meaningfully before Daku with his lower back pressed against a wing. “He’s right. Plus, he will not harm anyone unless attacked. You have my word, as chief, that he is a protector. You will soon find he is rather fun.”
The area fell silent for awhile while preparing a feast, but the looks from the tribe were uncertain. Then the elders returned and sat in a semicircle around the chief and strange creature. Metak finally broke the silence. “Chief Cage, I am grateful your plan succeeded and you brought your people home unharmed. I doubt Priestess Brooke needs to hear of the tale to pass on down the generations.” Brooke nodded and sat beside her man as Meeka was over by another fire, whispering to another to take some food to prepare. “Allow me to start by saying that the tribe was disappointed and hostile that you two left without a trace. It took hours to explain, but most agreed with the mindset I had to explain as you did to me. Eventually we moved on as you gave me position as chieftain, which was the only way to stop some of our people from trying to pick up your trail. Some, like Chala, were harder to keep together. Still, I led our people as you directed. Emroc patrols didn’t bother us too much since they couldn’t force all of our people to do anything. As outsiders, I did not give them knowledge of our destination. We reached the beach several days later and found traveling much easier. I must admit, much of the tribe seemed to enjoy seeing it for the very first time and for myself, it made me feel like a young man again… Some of the children went swimming and if not for the adults I fear they would be lost to us. Many were unprepared for the waves because they are used to the calm lake on the plains… We pushed on for weeks, gathering as much food as we could and hunting for fur. It was hard, but none starved thanks to a few hunters who learned to use a spear to get fish.
“A week or so passed before Hammit and Quitte found us and it was a good sign for our people.” Meeka sat down with a large wooden bowl to begin creating a stew and a small amount of bread. Metak glanced at the golden haired beauty. “Sixteen days ago, hunters found this place and we took it for our own since it was near the ocean, a clean stream and our hunters found much game. The deer and boar are quite plentiful, but don’t have the meat a buffalo has.
“When our people were secure by the next day, I took Meeka’s knife and did as you said and found a man by the name of Cillian. I took six warriors with me since I do not know how the tribe of Kote would act. They found us curious and were kind enough to lead me to Cillian in a large wooden place in the center of the tribe. I gave him the knife and” Meeka gasped at what her father’s reaction was, but the elder continued. “told him that Meeka was taken by the Laqura Empire. As you said, Chief, he believed me because of the knife. Cillian is a large man and when he heard me say she was taken became enraged till I said you went after and he actually calmed. Cillian seems to respect you greatly. He had me sit in a wooden seat while clutching Meeka’s knife and had me tell him everything, which I did. I know not why he laughed when I said she became yours and the priestess’s mate, but he seemed to stop thinking for awhile. He asked many questions which I could not answer or didn’t know. He is very concerned for you, Child.” He said last towards Meeka.
“My father, have you spoken to him since?” She gulped dryly.
“No, I have not.” Metak stated. “Without a priestess’s blessing I cannot discuss tribal matters, not even where we are located or towards your birth parents.”
Brooke reached over and laid a hand on Meeka’s shoulder. “Love, in the morning we will go see them to put their minds to rest.”
“I’d like that very much. I so want to see them again… Mother needs to know I’m well. Father too…” She looked down, lost in thought.
Cage then said, since nearly everyone listened in “In the morning I’ll take Meeka to her parents and come back soon to begin crafting boats to send our people to the island. Our hands will be full enough carrying not only ourselves, but teepees, dogs, horses, weapons and all our other supplies. We’ll need to store a day’s worth of water and enough food for no more than three days.
“Anything else is dead weight.”
“If that is your command it will be done.” Cage gave a serious nod to Shania. “How long will we have till we depart?”
“Three days is all I’ll need to work, but I’ll need help…”
“Why can’t Daku fly us all over?” Meeka wondered and turned to the griffin.
“Because he isn’t a pack mule or a carrier.” Cage explained. “Our people need their own way on and off the island. Daku was generous enough to carry us, but as a Familiar, he’s told me his only priority is to me as mine is to him. He deserves more respect than to be seen as transportation.”
“Thank you, Cage.” Daku stated and looked to everyone. “I’m a griffin king and I cannot allow other humans to lose respect for me when all I’d do is seem slave to ferry other humans all over. These humans are all warriors, let them keep their dignity. If I flew them all over they would get fat and lazy, something I will not allow those my partner has taken to protect. I agree with Cage greatly, especially if I’m not around and they need to use a floating tree to cross the ocean.” His sharp blue eyes turned to those staring back. “Or am I wrong in calling you warriors and you want others to carry your weight?”
A moment later there came a whistle as a knife flipped end over end, passed between two of the elders heads and bury itself an inch away in the ground from Daku’s left forepaw/talon hand. Daku smiled. “See what I mean, Meeka? How can I make true warriors lazy?”
Cage pulled the knife out and sent it flying back the way it came. A hand struck and snatched it out of the air, handle first. None of the tribe shifted or seemed uncomfortable.
“Now how about you tell us what has occurred in the search for our people?” Elder Shania requested.
At that moment many children came out of a few tents with platters of fruits and dry meat and brought it to their families. Sean carried a large platter while following his new little sister through the throng of adults and sat it down before his dad with a sigh, glad to not have tripped or thrown the dish. Rena sat down in her mother’s lap and Sean was surprised when his new mother Meeka gestured for him to do the same. He felt uncomfortable by all the curious stares by the naked copper skinned men and women, but sat down on one of her thighs anyway.
“First, I’d like to say” Cage gestured to his left. “this is Sean, the newest child of the Utala and my son and before you get the wrong idea, no he is as normal as every one of you. His tale comes later, but his life is hard and he chose to become our son and one of the Utala.”
A cheer went up that made the former thief’s cheeks redden. He still managed to wave back appreciatively.
Cage raised a hand and the tribe quieted so he could say “I’d like to apologize for upsetting all of you, my people. But when you hear the story you’ll understand just why I did what I had to, not want to. Just listen and if you do not believe me, ask Zatal, Moril and Lanna for their story.
“After Brooke and I snuck away when we all stepped outside Darshay Mountains, we hurried to Castle Emroc and on the way we ran into bandits…” Cage told the story with Brooke entering in at key points. The entire Utala sat entranced by their exploits. The celebratory food was
spread out among a silent tribe. The engrossing story made it hard to remember to eat before the food cooled. The most amusing face to watch was Rena at what her mother went through. Then at the part of Lord Doyle’s place in the story the whole tribe seethed silent rage and eventually laughed when hearing of the priestess’s revenge.
The story lasted hours, many asking questions, but few asked about being a warlock and when he asked why only few asked one stated “Chief is the chief, so long as you are worthy to be one it doesn’t matter what one is called.” and heads nodded.
The news of being long lived startled the tribe, but Metak said it would be best to discuss that topic for another time. Those words were a gentle command.
Eventually, with only a few hours of night remaining Cage stood. “Everyone, I’m glad to return with all our people who were taken. We will be together for awhile so let’s get some much needed sleep. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow. Good night.”
With that Cage had his family get up and go inside their tent. After listening to Daku and seeing how he changed sizes, the tribe remained wary, but not hostile.
Inside crackled a small fire and in minutes everyone laid down. Rena continued asking many questions to her mothers and new brother. Before long, they started yawning and laying together with Daku guarding the flap entrance. Cage remained the only one awake and he pulled out a three quarter inch piece of crystal and began layering spells he’d practiced in secret, on himself. The spells were accepted into the crystal and began to gather mana, mostly from himself at the moment before he linked it to belong to another.
He perfected the absorption rate and how much the primary dual wards would expend along with a warning ward designed to get very hot when the internal reserves get critically low.
By the time he finished the spells he laid behind Brooke clutching the back of Rena to her front with Meeka doing the same for Sean, sandwiching the kids and smothering them with love. He too fall deep asleep.
Laugh of Destruction (Book 3 of the Death Incarnate Saga) Page 8
