by Marius Thue
“I have to do something. Anything,” Thoke says. “I'll build something that will never go away, where our girl may rest forever.”
Thoke immediately gets to work. In sorrow, he's found it best to keep himself occupied. Now he will truly test his strength in more ways than one.
With wide eyes, the others watch as Thoke rolls eight massive boulders into the camp. They're each roughly as tall as two men and just as wide, give and take a foot. Thoke had to look far and wide for these boulders, but getting them there took no more than a few days.
Janeg shows him the spot where Larii died. There Thoke places the stones into a circle. The others pay close attention but make no effort to help, knowing full well that Thoke needs to do this himself.
Thoke commands them to build three large pyres in the center of the circle. Inside the pyres will be platforms for the dead to rest upon. The fires are arranged in a triangle, and before nightfall it's all set up.
After the darkness has ascended, everyone gathers around the stone circle. They sing a song of mourning, which resembles moaning more than actual singing. They sway torches up against the night sky.
Janeg comes over carrying his father and places him on one of the platforms. He's dressed in his ceremonial wolf furs. Mekar then comes over carrying his brother, Hiro, and does the same on another platform.
Shortly after, Thoke walks over with Larii in his arms. Carefully, he places his daughter on the platform. Everyone in the tribe walks over to say their final goodbyes before walking back outside the circle and continuing their song of mourning. Thoke and Neera both give Larii one last kiss on her forehead before laying their torches inside the pyre.
In the strong light of the fires, Neera and Thoke stand in an embrace.
“Rhekir should be allowed to say goodbye as well,” Neera says with sadness in her voice.
“He promised. His one task was to watch out for her, but he ran and let her die.” The fire burns in Thoke’s eyes, but it somehow feels calming. “What can I say to him now? How do I deal with him?”
“He was scared, Thoke. It's not he that needs to be punished. That should be spared for the ravages,” Neera says. Thoke detects the anger in her tone. He looks into her eyes and sees the reflection of the fire. Her eyes seem to be burning with anger also. “They need to die for this,” she continues. Now there seems to be fire in her voice as well. “They need to burn like our daughter now does. Release all your anger Thoke and burn them all to ash!”
Neera's eyes are water and fire all at once. There's sorrow and anger in there like never before. Thoke looks at the flames, his precious girl lying on the pyre.
“They will die,” he whispers. “When I return, there will be a certain moose's head in my hands.”
Neera tips up on her toes and kisses him. She then lightly pushes him away, urging him to leave at once. Thoke takes a final look at his daughter before disappearing silently into the night.
CHAPTER 17
Thoke is on his way to the highest mountaintop in the area. The wind blows on his bearded face. The tie binding his beard goes flying down the steep slopes, and the hair flies up into his face. He pulls out a new one from a pouch at his waist and ties hit up again. He feels the knot sitting tight, and Neera pops into his head, making him smile for a moment.
Since the snow fell, all trace of the ravages has been covered up. The snowfall has stopped at least, which helps him see further. He spots a tribe wandering across the plain. With a jump, he goes flying over the rocks and small hills as he runs and bounces down the mountainside.
On a steep hill not far from the tribe, Thoke makes a near straight jump into the air. The snow flies everywhere as Thoke smacks into the ground, right in the middle of the crowd. Some fall over in bewilderment while others jump back. Eventually the snow settles, and Thoke becomes visible to them.
“What's the meaning of this?” one woman screams.
Thoke takes an inspecting look around. Now that he's among them, he realizes there are too few to be the ravages and they seem much too feeble.
“Have you seen the demons in the mountain lately?” Thoke asks. All but one man shakes their heads.
“Sure, we've seen them,” says the man. “They attacked a few days ago, killed those who were in camp while we were hunting, and took all we had. We're heading south, away from these godless lands.”
Thoke realizes these people have no idea where the ravages' camp might be. Their simply victims like so many others. Without a word Thoke runs off and back up the mountain.
A few days pass, and the same happens time and time again. More tribes tell a similar tale. Most of them seem to have been only passing through. As soon as a new tribe comes here, they are chased off or killed. No survivors. Then why did so many of us live?
One sunny day he hears chatter some a ways away. Carefully, he makes his way to the edge of a small valley. Down in the bottom, he sees what appears to be a campsite. It sits in a flat area with the mountain on one side and the sea on the other. The camp also touches each side of the valley walls as it stretches out.
The little valley ends in the fjord some hundred steps away from the camp. Thoke sees at least ten boats made of animal skins, where there seems to be some smaller camp by the shore. There may be more where he can't see. There are stands where meat and fish has been hung up to dry. So much fish, Thoke thinks.
It hasn't rained or snowed in quite a few days now, and the sun has begun to melt away the snow, which only lies in patches down in the valley. The fluffy dry snow from some days past doesn't last long down here.
Thoke walks up to a hill where he can see the entire camp. It's bigger than anything Thoke has ever seen. There must be at least one hundred people here, if not two hundred. The huts are built larger than what Thoke's used to and resemble the one Thoke and Neera once lived in when Rhekir was born.
He also sees caribou walking inside fences, at least twenty at Thoke’s rough count. This is amazing, he thinks. These people must have no cares in the world with all this food right there with them. Being attacked must not be a worry either. Surrounding the camp, there's a thin, tall palisade. Some platforms are scattered around, where guards are posted with bows and arrows.
There are two entrances to the camp, one toward the sea and one toward the mountain. By each side of the gates, two men hold spears, standing guard.
By the gate toward the mountain hangs a man. He's naked, tied to a pole, and appears to be missing his manly parts, judging from all the blood that covers the area. He also has had his fingers and toes cut off.
Thoke sees no one in black stripes down there, but still, he must take a closer look. He finds a spot between the gates near the valley’s side. There are no guards to stop him.
He takes a few steps back, runs forward, and jumps over the palisade. The landing is smooth on the other side, and Thoke quickly sneaks into a nearby hut.
If these people are the ravages, the children will be here somewhere. Hopefully they're not hurt in any way. The ground inside the camp seems to be nearly free of snow. There is some snow, but it looks like someone has pushed it aside.
Smaller trails go between the huts while one large trail leads directly between the gates. People must be walking up and down here several times each day. Thoke will try and stay away from these trails.
Carefully, he checks the hut for any clues to whom these people might be before sneaking over to another hut and repeating the process. Nothing of interest in there either. He needs to think of something else to speed this up, because it won't take long before someone notices him. He pulls the flap aside and is met by at least fifteen spears pointed right at his face.
“What's your business here?” one man asks firmly.
Thoke doesn't know how to answer, but he knows he has to think of something fast.
“I need to speak to your chief,” he says.
One of the men run off. Shortly after, he returns and nod to the others who still hold their spears up
at Thoke.
“Walk!” The man growls.
The men lead him up a trail, which leads to a large hut some way up the valley. It lies on the highest point inside the palisade. The chief must live there because the entire campsite unfolds before him. There's even a good view of the sea and mountain gate.
With spear tips close to Thoke, they lead him all the way to the flap of the hut. Slowly, they pull the flap aside and push Thoke in. A man stands with his back turned to them. It must be the chief. He's somewhat shorter than Thoke, has short dark brown hair, and from the look of it he's beardless.
In the middle of the room there's a large wooden stump, which has been carved out to make a comfortable seat. Bear and wolf skins are laid on and around it, making it look quite impressive.
“Well, well, an intruder,” the chief says in a smooth voice. “Intruders rarely make it long here in my village. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't send you to the bottom of the fjord.” The chief cuts into a piece of meat on a flat wooden surface.
That voice! There's something familiar about that smooth, smug voice. Thoke feels a frown forming on his forehead as he tries to remember. He can feel his head spinning from not being able to figure this out.
“Care to speak?” The chief has disdain in his voice. He turns and sits on the carved stump before looking up at Thoke.
The frown on Thoke's forehead fades, and a feeling of happiness falls over him as his eyes and mouth fall open.
“Dorkas?” Thoke says in a low voice as if he didn't know he could speak. The chief looks at him in a similar fashion.
“Thoke? Is that you?” Dorkas exclaims.
They both break out into joyful laughter and embrace each other.
“I knew you survived. I just knew it!” Thoke near shouts.
“Likewise, my friend, but this is one ugly face I never thought I'd see again,” Dorkas says while grabbing Thoke’s face in his hands, laughing.
“Where have you been all this time?” Thoke takes a step back, and Dorkas does the same.
“That's a long story.” Dorkas's face turns stern before perking back up. “This is unbelievable. You even grew a beard! Teemo, get some food and water for our guest.”
The man who ran off when Thoke asked to see the chief appears to be a man named Teemo. He immediately runs out of the hut. Teemo's a small, scrawny man, whose hair can be found in patches on his head and face. There's not much hair left on him, but it's clear it once was there. Looking at his beard, it seems his face has been cut in multiple places, leaving scarred, beardless spots. He's also bruised on his eyes and cheeks, looking like he's recently been in a fight. Thoke watches him as he runs down the hill.
“Have you seen any of the others? Skarn or Father? Perhaps Mother or Tseena?” Thoke says while turning back to Dorkas.
“Unfortunately, I never found any of the other hunters or any of the others for that matter. I wandered around for days without seeing another human.”
“But since we're both alive, that means the others might be as well.” Thoke is filled with excitement, and every other thought has disappeared from his mind. “What do you remember about that day?”
“I'll tell you later,” Dorkas places one arm around Thoke’s shoulder and leads him further into the hut. “Now let's eat and talk about what you've been up to all these years. Tell me about your life, my friend.” Dorkas points to a piece of moose furs on the ground, indicating for Thoke to sit.
Fair enough, Thoke thinks. There's so much to talk about, so they need to start somewhere. He sits and so does Dorkas. On the walls inside the hut, plenty of bear and wolf skins hang. A small crackling fire burns in the center, making smoke fly out a small hole in the roof.
“I have a woman and two children,” Thoke begins with cheer in his voice but ends in melancholy. “I have one child, that is. My daughter was killed by the ravages some days past. I'm looking to find them and give them the punishment they deserve.”
“Ravages?” Dorkas looks puzzled. “Never heard of them, but I must say that's sad to hear. We'll help you any way you need, I promise you that. We have excellent trackers here.”
Dorkas’s subordinates serve them caribou meat, dried and salted cod, mushrooms and blueberries. The conversation flows easily as they reminisce about the old days. It's as if they haven't even been apart for half a day.
Thoke regards the many trophies scattered around the hut as they talk. Antlers of caribou, deer, and moose, as well as the skulls of bears, wolves, and wolverines hang on the walls. There's a fang around Dorkas's neck, made as a necklace like the rib bone one Thoke wears. The fang is larger than any he's ever seen. He judges it to be thicker and longer than his middle finger. He shutters at the thought as to which animal this would have once belonged to.
“The fang?” Thoke asks after a short silence, gesturing at Dorkas's chest.
“Ah.” Dorkas smiles wide. “Found it in the dirt when we dug this place up to set down logs. Our shaman says the spirit of an ancient beast lives inside it, so I keep it with me.”
After the food, Dorkas decides to give Thoke a tour of the village. Guards are always placed around the platforms on the palisade. They all look sharply at Thoke as they wander down the central path, making Thoke feel unwelcome.
Dorkas seems to have made his pelts all from wolf and some from bear. He appears somewhat majestic as he points and explains how this was all constructed. Bragging is something Dorkas always had a skill for. They stop down by the sea, where all the boats have been pulled up on land. There's over twenty of them now, Thoke realizes.
“Look at this, Thoke. Never has anyone built something like this so far north. A true village like they have in the south,” Dorkas says proudly while turning to admire his village.
“You truly have made something great here,” Thoke answers.
“It wasn't a simple thing, though. I told you, remember? I said it so many times. This was my dream.” Dorkas sighs as if he's relieved. “One day I was going to lead the greatest tribe of all. This day is now, my friend, but tonight we'll hold a feast in your honor. Then I will tell you my story, and you can tell me yours.” He places an arm around Thoke’s neck and turns him to look out to the fjord. Out there he sees several fishing boats bobbing in the water.
From the village, Teemo comes running toward them.
“Chief! Your woman has come back from her expedition. She's in the chief’s hut now,” Teemo says while trying to catch his breath.
“Keep her there. Tell her I'll be up shortly. Show Thoke which hut he might rest in. Take some time now, my friend. Wait for me to send for you tonight.” Dorkas pats Thoke on the shoulder.
Thoke then joins Teemo while Dorkas rushes home. Dorkas seemed quite stressed when he heard his woman was back. Something must be wrong. Thoke will not add to the stress, so he agrees to take some time to rest. With Dorkas's help, he'll find the ravages much faster. Then perhaps they might go looking for their old tribe after the children are safe.
Thoke feels some joy for the first time since Larii died, but as soon as he gets into the cold hut, his thoughts go back to her. The good feeling quickly washes away. He crawls into a corner and huddles up, then he falls to sleep.
In his dream, Thoke stands on a high rocky hill. There are stones everywhere. He walks around slowly and realizes the stones are all graves. They're all around him, leaking blood from the cracks. Thoke removes a stone from one of the graves, causing it to crumble some. Out of the grave he sees icy blue eyes staring up at the sky.
With a jerk, Thoke sits up, feeling sweaty from his dream. Often he would dream about the cold dead eyes of his first human kill. They've become rarer in recent years, though, and never have the eyes been of that color.
Cheer and song can be heard outside the hut. Day has become night, and the tribe has begun the feast. Thoke peeks his head out to have a look.
The darkness is held back with tens of small fires placed around the village. In the center of it, one large fire
burns high. Five rows of long, thick logs lie around the fireplace. Here the villagers sit while drinking and eating. Some of the villagers wear masks and big necklaces made from skulls and animal bones. They're dancing with some strange moves and singing songs of joy. The bones rattle with the rhythm as the men and women bounce around. Thoke has never heard such a racket.
He still sits in the entrance to his hut, peeking out, dreading going out there. The sound pierces his ears, and he struggles to filter out all the noises. It doesn't take long for him to realize that the sounds are just as high in the hut as they are outside.
After hesitating, he decides to step put. He walks to the large bonfire and sits down in the outermost circle, where there's the least amount of people. Dorkas comes over shortly after, sitting down next to him.
“Didn't I say I'd send for you?” he asks, patting Thoke gently on the shoulder.
“I couldn't sit in there anymore, I guess,” Thoke answers.
“That's fine. It's just that these people aren't too fond of outsiders,” Dorkas explains. “Who knows what they could have done. Next time you should wait for me to send for you or get you myself. For your own protection of course.”
“I think I'll manage,” Thoke answers. He looks at the spectacle around him in amazement. “How have you done all this? How do you survive this way?”
“All will be told, my friend. As soon as we have eaten, I'll tell.”
His story keeps getting postponed, Thoke thinks. This is taking too long, and he's getting eager to get going again. He can't just sit here and do nothing. The ravages must be found and fast. Dorkas's help would make a huge difference, so he decides to wait until after the feast, but not a heartbeat longer.
“When will I get the honor of meeting this woman of yours?” Thoke says with a smile.
“She's resting. These last few days have been long and hard for her,” Dorkas answers.
Over the fire there hangs meat of fish and caribou skewered on sticks. The smell is enticing. There also seems to be seal meat, mushrooms, berries, and nuts available. On a flat, heated up stone, there's even some bird eggs frying. Dorkas has pulled out all the stops tonight.
