Weathering Storms

by Taborri Walker

  Before she could think, Sesha let out a three-tone whistle and some growling noises. Startled, the animal stopped both sound and movement, looking at her.

  Is it possible there are Okeelas on this world? Wouldn’t that be breaking Interstellar Law?

  I’m as confused as you, Sesh… he does look almost alike but be careful. If you can touch him with me, I can run a quick scan.

  Sesha whistled again, and clucked her tongue, letting her Gem arm slide down slowly. The animal started to growl, then she blew a breath at him as hard as she could. Smelling what no one else could he stepped forward, nose working hard. Sesha made the noises again and a couple words of the language.

  Now the animal whined, pulled against his leash hard, trying to go the rest of the way to Sesha. Monitor Thaddeus stepped forward and yanked backward on the lead. His foot hit the puddle of Sesha’s dark pee and he slipped, but regained his footing and hauled back again, roaring at the dog.

  Now the huge thing turned and snarled viciously at his keeper and he dropped the leather line, startled and a bit afraid, suddenly. Turning, the animal sniffed the man’s shoe, lifted his leg and peed on his master, then turned back to Sesha. The women all backed up as these were vicious beasts, trained to be angry all the time, used in hunts and to fight each other, keeping them ready to kill. Florence picked up the plank, ready to beat the dog if it tried to harm their patient.

  Reaching Sesha’s hanging hand he sniffed and she made more whistles and guttural noises. He rubbed; she began to scratch.

  Won’t believe this, Sesh but it is descended from Okeelas! Thousands of years, yes but the genetic markers are there! If he’ll make more noise I’ll tell you how close to the language it is. In the meantime, still be very careful.

  Sesha moved her hand slowly up to his ear and he bent his head into it. Blowing another puff of air at his nose, he lifted the massive head and his tongue came out. There were gasps, but all he did was lick her face and moved to her hair, cleaning up the still seeping head wound.

  Delia shifted; she’d been quite contorted and couldn’t hold it. The dog snapped instantly into mean mode, snarling, turning her way.

  “Brutus! Down! Down!” Thaddeus roared but the dog didn’t obey.

  “Rr-nepah!” Sesha snapped, then whistled sharply, grimacing her face as she moved enough to snatch his ear. Pressure points were the same apparently, for the animal went right down, whining, paws scrabbling at his painful ear. “T’whe, nene!” She let go of the ear suddenly and the beast yelped, then barked with a growl and yipe.

  Don’t think it’s close enough but he’s listening anyway. Keep it up; if he attacks you I’ll shock him limp.

  Sesha deliberately pushed herself off the bed, yelping too as she landed on the floor, but sitting. She snapped her fingers and the dog crawled into her lap partway. Petting again, Sesha looked up at Florence.

  “F-fwo-ence,” she chirped and made the come here motion, then pushed down. The doctor, quite afraid, did as asked and slowly went down on her knees by Sesha. Brutus lifted his head, lips curling and found his snout pinned by one hand, his still sore ear flicked as a reminder. She kept her Gem in contact with his body and the computer gave the animal the messages Sesha wanted to impress.

  “Wa tosh,” she made the motion of palm out fingers slanted down and blowing a puff of air at the dog. Despite her fear Florence did and the animal rose and licked her face, accepting. The corner of Sesha’s eye caught the look of pure hatred; this stranger was bedeviling his dog! No more would it have the trait of giving fear to all it looked at! But he could say nothing to prevent this.

  Shni, my back is starting to really hurt.

  Start acting like it while you introduce Deborah and Delia. I’ve got the new information into this one. When he leaves he’ll guard and hunt but he won’t growl at any person except when he smells anger. But especially get Delia over… she was so terrified she peed herself.

  Sure enough the girl was huddled in the corner weeping, so Sesha called her first.

  “Dee-ya, ah,” the noise of pain made the girl raise her head and she saw Sesha waving at her while she grimaced. “Deh-ba,” nearer, the girl had been watching and was already imitating Florence.

  Who rose, stepped over the animal and stopped by the Monitor. “Thy jacket off; throw it on the mess thou created,” the anger in her voice was palpable.

  “Did no such sin,” he snapped back.

  “Did chase the women who hurried at the patient’s behest; did bring that beast, thy dog Brutus in the house! Did terrify Delia, on chore to rinse, making the bucket fall! ‘Tis thy fault, thou clean it! Pants already be smirched! Show thy… godliness… by abasing thyself to cleaning!” then she moved on and pulled the still sobbing Delia up.

  Sesha let out another sound of distress and the animal, a dog they now knew, finished Deborah’s face wash and got to his feet, nose in Sesha’s face, licking her tears as her back spasmed.

  “Hold her, Delia,” the woman was forcibly plunked beside Sesha despite her sobs of terror, and Brutus turned from Sesha to her, licking off the salty tears and snuffling until the girl realized the animal wouldn’t hurt her. She lifted Sesha onto her lap – only the back of her dress was wet – and managed to coo comfortingly as she contorted some.

  The Monitor was mopping the mess, Brutus was alternating around the three women as they lifted Sesha back onto the bed when steps were heard on the stairs. Brutus stopped and watched the door, on guard.

  “T’whe, nene,” Sesha managed and the dog relaxed. The door opened; there were three gasps as Beulah, Grace and Sarah entered.

  “Hold down thy hands, ladies, make a kiss sound and blow breath in Brutus’ face… then shalt Monitor Thaddeus and his dog be leaving, having cleaned the mess he made.”

  It was with hesitation the women repeated the gesture, again Sesha raised her voice in pain to speak to the dog. Then he reared up, paws on the bed and washed her face again while she laid her Wrist Gem against him to confirm what they had changed. He would still be fierce, hunt savagely and guard as trained but people would be either ignored or tolerated, except for Sesha. He was her dog now. If Sesha could touch the others, they’d be hers too.

  “Deborah, take Delia to the infirmary to bathe and change. Go roundabout that none see her, keep her close to thy breast. Send Anna with the strong aromatic herbs and salt scrub for the floor. Also, send any lad for a chore of great concern to Sesha.” Florence helped the pair past Thaddeus and out the door then rounded on him, litany thrown aside.

  “And you, you wicked man, do not ever terrorize any of those assisting in the care of our ‘Angel Unawares!’ Nor bring your vicious dogs into any of the houses! You know the Reverend set that as a hard and fast rule as the animals are for protection from the wildlife! You are a bad man, Thaddeus! I cannot believe what you have chosen to become and I truly cannot believe I saved your life after the bear attacked you! If I had known you would become this way, I would have let you bleed to death! Do not ever approach any of us women ever again!”

  The Monitor opened his mouth to snarl back, but got a surprise. Brutus nipped him. Not enough to break skin but it certainly got his attention. The animal’s eyes were fixed on him, scruff up as he faced his Master down.

  All the women stayed dead still and silent, so they were surprised when Sesha murmured “Broo-dus, nene,” They were doubly surprised when the dog relaxed and trotted out the door. Thaddeus was forced to scoop up his wet, stinky jacket and the lead, hurrying after.

  “As we tend to the lass I’ll fill you in.”

  “Her back is worse,” Grace already had the gown open and was washing. The room fell mostly quiet except for soft sobbing and Florence’s quiet voice repeating the tale.

  The next day found Beulah still there. When her husband came to brace Florence, furious for her froward speech and attitude, he found an angry wife, just barely polite.

  “Thou gave word we show mercy and kindness to the stranger; thou gave wor
d years ago that the dogs be kept outside, except in severe weather, then they be in kennels. The Monitor did break all thy rules! Tried to halt the lasses in fetching necessities and did bring the most vicious beast of all not only into thy house but into the Lakin’s room! Who woulds’t thou rather we obey then? Thee or thy Monitors?” she didn’t add, though she wanted to, that they constantly seek to overturn Allway’s rules.

  “The beast did harm none,” he snapped, unwilling to give up his righteous anger.

  “Only as Sesha appears to have a way with brute beasts,” Beulah snapped back. “with whistles and noises and her language Brutus did calm and accept the others, then us, upon arriving.”

  “And yet today the animal is not as he should be,”

  “In what?”

  “No longer growls at people come near except to his Master when he doth make attempt to punish, as stated in the Word, ‘as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers,’ ”

  “What evil? That tots cannot hold water until reaching a privy? That children laugh while in play? That young people smile at each other? What sins be those? Sins thou and thy men decide be so? What evil did the lasses do when fetching what the patient had need of? Look to thyself, husband. Search thy heart. If thou woulds’t do as God desires, mayhap thou should remember ‘For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.’ ”

  “That,” Allway said coldly, looking over to where Sesha lay sleeping quietly while Grace washed the stickiness from her hair over the injury, “be not in my Word.”

  “Thou hast not Proverbs chapter 6, verse 14 in thy tome?” Beulah’s tone was incredulous.

  “Acts, woman,” and then he realized his error. “Fetch me when I mayst visit the lass.” He whirled and stomped out.

  “After bath and meal perchance.” Beulah answered and shut the door. Eyes closed, she leaned against it and shook all over. “Who… who changeth the truth of God into a lie…” she muttered, then scrubbed at her eyes. “Sesha… is she awake yet?”

  “Stirring now, friend Beulah,” Sarah gave the woman a hard hug and they sat down to pat Sesha’s cheeks, getting a smile. None knew she’d gotten the whole conversation and was trying to plan ahead to the next step.

  “Sesha,” Beulah’s eyes were tired even though she’d slept some during the night. “I will be here during the day now,” hand on her breast, then pointing at the sun, “and Florence will be here at night,” she made the common gesture for sleep. “We need to give you a bath, dear, you stink of dog and pee. Bath,”

  Sarah was the model while Grace lifted clothes and pretended to wash her, turning her and going on. “Baa-th,” so she repeated and nodded when they gestured to her.

  There was a knock and a gangly-legged boy stood there. He looked with wide eyes at Sesha, awake, who looked back and smiled a little. The blush that rose was furious and he made himself look at his toes while Beulah spoke with him.

  “Bring the stretcher and its legs posthaste,” reaching out, she patted his shoulder, “have Anna come, with someone carrying means for mixing again. She will speak all there is need of.” With a little push, Beulah sent him on his way.

  “You smiled at him,” fingers traced the upward path. “Smile,” and one was aimed at her when she repeated the word. Between sips of water and bites of fresh fruits they tried a few more words. ‘No’ was picked up quickly.

  Now the stretcher arrived with a set of legs that made it steady. Covers were eased off and Sesha’s hands taken. “Try to stand?” Grace, to the side, motioned from lying down to sitting up to standing. “Stand?”

  “Es,” Sesha used the unsure, childlike voice. Carefully she was pulled to sitting and couldn’t help it, she yelped a bit from the pain in her back. Taking her legs, Grace helped turn her while Sarah put hands on her hips and pushed forward. The noises from Sesha were real; this hurt! Then her feet were touching the floor.

  “Here we go,” Beulah pulled straight, Sesha felt her shoulder try to move wrong at the same time she went upright – and straight down, total collapse of legs and almost a faint from the pain. The next thing she knew she was flat on the stretcher, her face bathed with cool water.

  “N… no?” she managed.

  “No, not again. We’ll carry you, child. Rest now while we set up your bath.”

  The bustling around her was interesting, and then when two men hauled in a large pot and several buckets of warm water, Sesha knew they would do her hair too.

  Review me quick, Shni… I don’t remember all of it. In a moment the knowledge was in her mind; her actions and the assumptions. Sesha knew what to do.

  First they sponged down her body, baring just a bit at a time to wash and dry it. She acted shy, but just a bit, over her tummy being bared, but not her breasts, hips or even between her legs.

  “Why do you suppose it bothers her having her tummy bared, and not what must remain covered except for our husbands to see?” Sarah asked Beulah softly as she handed over the warm washcloth.

  “I don’t know – easy, Sesha, I’m just going to wash you --” she pushed the young woman’s hands back and proceeded to tenderly wipe the slender belly. To which Sesha screwed up her face as giggles escaped her mouth, while she writhed in pain from her back. “Ooh…” Beulah understood and pressed firmer, stopping the inadvertent tickling. “She’s ticklish… and that hurts her back. That’s why she’s acting this way.” Underarms and behind the knees were ticklish too, now that Sesha was awake enough to sense it.

  “Now the hair. Move her up, Grace, support her neck,” and a whole new act began.

  “There you are, sweet Sesha,” Grace’s smile was genuine. “I know you’re a bit cold, a new blanket is coming, ah, here it is. Now we wash your hair,” moving up one hand, Grace fluffed Sesha’s a bit.

  Sarah began pouring the water slowly through her reeking, crusty hair and Beulah lifted and separated to make sure it was all wet. She was fine – until –

  Sarah lifted the thin stream of water to her forehead’s hairline and as it struck gently and spread out to wet the very top of her head, Sesha started sobbing.

  All work stopped instantly.

  “What, again?” Sarah frowned.

  Beulah shook the water off her hands and drew up a stool on the other side. “Grace, let me. You help Sarah, Anna if they need you, come help. Give me a dry cloth,” she took and folded it, laying it over the young woman’s eyes. “Now pour, slowly as before…” But Sesha was trembling now and sobs kept breaking out of her lips. “Ssh, child… we are not harming you, just cleaning your hair… easy,” she kept her tone like she would use to comfort a terrified child, and by the time they had her hair sopping, it seemed to be working. Beulah also stroked her cheeks, alternating as she soothed, and then the women applied the homemade shampoo and gently washed her hair.

  A Monitor stopped in to check and seeing them busy, left.

  “We be ready to rinse now, Righteous Lady,” Anna was too terrified to talk normally, just from the fright of being snuck up on.

  “It’s all right,” Beulah soothed the woman, and then as Sarah started to pour, Sesha let out a half-scream and clutched wildly at Beulah’s bosom. They finished the task getting both Pricilla and Beulah wet as they rinsed Sesha’s fine but oddly colored hair and bundled it in a hand-woven towel. By then Sesha’s legs were thrashing as the woman held her firmly, so with help they got her almost onto Beulah’s lap where she was rocked and hummed to until she calmed.

  “Sesha, child,” keeping her tone questioning, she phrased the query as if she would for a small child. “Water,” her hand splashed a bit, “just water! Why scared?” her face imitated Sesha’s emotion of a few minutes before.

  “Um,” crossing her wrists, Sesha made fists. “Teekla,” she acted as if they wouldn’t come apart.

  “Tied, or chained,”

  Pointing to her slender ankles she did the same motions and they nodded. T
hen Sesha spread her arms wide and said “gee-ho,” correcting right away. “Waa-ter,” and waved hands up and down.

  “Ocean? Must be.”

  Sesha pointed to her feet and back to her hands, moving one around then pointing up. “Yeesak,” hands together, she wiggled them like fish.

  “Fish,” the women correctly interpreted and when she made motions for using a rod and winding it in, they said the right words too.

  Now Sesha acted as if stalled a moment, looking about. She picked one of the unused cloths and looked around again, then pointed to the knitting bag in the corner. Grace brought it, saying the correct words but she just nodded and looked in, pulling out the coarse yarn they spun. A twist on the cloth to form a lump and she tied the yarn around then pulled the four edges together, tying them. Touching each she used her ‘new’ words.

  “Hea-duh, han, han, feets, feets. Dis,” holding up the little figure she threw it into the pot, dragging it by the length above it, sometimes deep, sometimes shallow and a lot of dipping in and out. With her other hand she made biting motions. Three fingers went up, two were bitten and one pulled back up. Then Sesha dropped the little bit and turned as much as she could into Beulah’s breast where she cried.

  All the woman felt she could do was get up with help, sit in the rocking chair and rock the small woman until she fell asleep again.

  After that, days were geared carefully. When awake women carried her to the sitting room, also on the upstairs floor, and nestle her into a thickly padded lounge-chair in a wonderfully furnished room with a crude huge plate glass window that overlooked the vast body of water – Sesha’s goal. There they would let her rest for a while, watching the city in front of her as they taught her more words and fed the girl. It was learned quickly not to feed her meat from four-legged animals and even the two-legged ones were iffy, but fish grew tiring every day. Eggs were wonderful but there were only so many ways to make them, although Sesha showed them an idea.