Khon’Tor’s mind went immediately to Adia. She is going to bring charges against me after all, he thought. Despite the Rah-hora, despite the risk to herself and Oh’Dar, despite it all, she was turning him in. His heart started pounding in his chest.
He looked around the room as he collected his thoughts. Knowing he was not allowed to ask, he did anyway, “What is this about? Who requested you contact them?”
“You know I cannot disclose that. I understand your asking, however,” he replied.
“Who is coming? Who on the High Council is coming?” he pressed.
This, Acaraho could disclose, and he recited the names. “You have the right as Leader of the People to have your Second Rank, and Hakani—though she is no longer officially Third Rank—in attendance if you so wish,” he reminded Khon’Tor.
The Leader turned away from Acaraho, not wanting him to see any reaction. He seldom misses anything. If ever.
Khon’Tor took a deep breath. I will know soon enough. A few days’ notice will do nothing to prepare me for what is to come. If it was Adia who contacted them, I will find a way to deal with her later. If she is bringing charges against me, she is violating her part of the Rah-hora. Regardless of what happens, she will still forfeit her life to me. And to whatever extent possible, I will find a way to enforce that agreement. Or find another way to make her pay.
Unless, of course, they banish me from the community.
Banishment was the most severe penalty ever imposed by the People; a single Sasquatch living in isolation was condemned to a life of struggle and hardship, and usually an early death. The People depended on each other. They were communal by nature, so they thrived in a setting such as Kthama.
Once they knew what Khon’Tor had done to Adia, it would not take them long to figure that he had left her there to die. He would be ruined. But, as hard as it would be to remain in the community, humiliated and denigrated, it would be better than banishment.
Khon’Tor had become Leader of the High Rocks at an early age and was used to being in a position of power; he did not know any other way to live. His greatest satisfaction was feeling he was looked up to, admired, perhaps even revered. To be stripped of his position of leadership, and to have his reputation and memory disparaged, would be anathema to him. He would go down in history, not as the great Leader he imagined he was, but remembered as the second ever to break the First Law: Never Without Consent.
He knew it had to be Adia. The Waschini offspring had been accepted into the community. The People were enjoying the cold weather activities; it was a time for socializing and reinforcing the bonds among them. The threat of the Waschini waxed and waned. He could think of no one else who would have a reason to call for the High Council’s oversight.
He did briefly consider Hakani, but the request for the High Council must have been put in before she lost the offspring. There was no reason for her to have requested their presence when she still had the upper hand.
Khon’Tor looked at Acaraho. It was possible that Acaraho did not know what the allegation was. It was possible he that had only been asked to send the message. But Acaraho, at the very least, knew who had requested it.
Khon’Tor’s mind was reeling.
Acaraho had said he could request Adia’s presence as Second Rank. Did that mean it was not she who had lodged the complaint?
Perhaps the High Council had learned about the Waschini offspring. Both Ogima Adoeete and Is’Taqa of the Brothers knew about Oh’Dar because they were visiting when Hakani revealed his presence. It would not be like the Brothers to interfere in our internal operations, though. They may sit on the High Council in consideration of a matter of the People, but they would not instigate an investigation.
It is possible Hakani let the High Council know about Oh’Dar, but again, things were going well for Hakani at the time the request was made. There was no motivation for her to cause trouble.
An investigation; that’s what it comes down to? thought Khon’Tor. Having the High Council hear an issue against me as Leader is the worst thing I could imagine.
Acaraho stood quietly while Khon’Tor was lost in silence. Finally, he walked around to face the Leader, forcing him to acknowledge that Acaraho was still there.
“You will need to let me know who you want in attendance, at least by the time they arrive,” Acaraho said.
“I will,” said the Leader.
Acaraho left, and Khon’Tor lowered himself to one of the seating boulders where he could try to clear his mind.
The process is underway, he thought. There is nothing I can do to stop it.
All he could do was wait for the High Council to arrive. And to figure out whether to have Hakani attend the High Council Meeting. In the end, he decided against it. Though her submissive attitude continued, he was not sure how long it would hold up.
He blamed both Hakani and Adia for his problems.
I am the Leader of the People of the High Rocks—the largest most expansive known community of the People. My ancestors have lived here for generations upon generations. It is my job to protect my community and our culture. Yes, I am a strong Leader, but I have to be. I only want what is best for them. I do not need to be challenged by these two females who do not understand the level of responsibility I carry. If they did not fight me, I would not be so tough on them. They have brought their problems on themselves.
That night, Khon’Tor was particularly hard on Hakani.
* * *
Acaraho was confident that Khon’Tor assumed Adia was, after all, going to hold him accountable for his crimes. Therefore, Acaraho was already on high alert for any signs of a pre-emptive strike against Adia, and he had placed additional guards throughout the corridors leading to her quarters. He did not have to give a reason; the males followed his orders without question. Khon’Tor would only discover them if he went to find Adia.
* * *
The day had come. The Watchers brought news of the High Council members’ approach, and Acaraho was ready for them. In the meantime, he needed to know who of his command Khon’Tor had decided to have in attendance at the next day’s meeting.
Khon’Tor had thought through it both ways, but if it turned out he was entirely wrong and the issue had nothing to do with Adia, it would be peculiar if he had not requested her presence at so critical a meeting. On that basis, he told Acaraho that Adia should be in attendance, but not Hakani. He used the excuse of his mate’s miscarriage to leave her out.
Acaraho nodded and said he would let Khon’Tor know when they were assembling.
He next went to Adia to let her know they would be convening in the morning.
This was a volatile situation, and the outcome depended on how the High Council perceived her condition—as an act of disregard for her role as Healer, or the understandable failing of a robust young female who had been relegated to a loveless and barren way of life. One that ran counter-current to everything about a female’s nature.
When Acaraho left, Adia sat alone with her thoughts.
Whether to deliver justice or mercy. My father taught me this is always the question for those with the power to judge others. Whether to deliver justice—the proper and fair administration of the law and the consequences of violating it—or mercy, which through compassion, tempers the punishment that justice demands.
Whatever happens, I will not receive justice—because I will not be judged on the truth. Because I have decided not to offer the whole truth, I will be judged as a willing, negligent participant in the creation of my own troubles. Mercy? I pray I might see what mercy would look like. I only know that in a few hours my life will be changed forever.
Acaraho received the High Council members and arranged guards to show them to their quarters. He knew they would wish to rest before tomorrow’s hearing. It was customary for the Leader to greet them, and Khon’Tor met his obligation to be there. He knew word of their arrival would fly through the community even faster than had the word of Hakani�
��s miscarriage. He hated that there would be rampant speculation about the purpose of the visit. All the People knew that the High Council only inserted itself into matters of the gravest concern.
As Khon’Tor greeted the members, he kept his behavior as normal as possible. There was still an outside chance this had nothing to do with him, and he was hanging onto that for all he was worth. Only a guilty male would avoid meeting them.
He had not told Hakani of their coming because he did not want her involved. There was no scenario he could imagine in which her presence would benefit him. She was a different person now, subdued and quiet, but he doubted he had doused her flame permanently. When and if it reignited, he did not want it to be in front of the High Council. Though, if they were here because Adia was bringing charges against him, he doubted there was anything Hakani could do to make the situation worse for him.
* * *
The next morning, some of Acaraho’s guards brought the High Council members into the room he had prepared for the meeting.
It was not being conducted in the Great Chamber because that area was far too large, with no privacy, and would have lent an even more intimidating air to the meeting than was already present. Acaraho did not care about any of this for Khon’Tor’s sake; he wished as much discomfort as possible on the Leader. But for Adia’s sake, he wanted a more personable setting. And one as far away from curious eyes and listening ears as possible. He had found a venue suited to the purpose and staked several guards at various routes to the location.
He arranged the room with a table and seating at what could be considered the back, with more seating facing the table for Adia and anyone else who might be in attendance with her. Acaraho intended to stand to the side where he had the best view of everyone involved. He wanted to make sure Adia could see him and hoped his being there would be a comfort to her.
As the one in charge of this operation, he should receive no resistance from anyone regarding his presence, but leaving nothing to chance, Acaraho met privately with the High Council members before the meeting began. He was concerned they might ask him to leave and had his vehement objection prepared. There was no way he was not going to be there for Adia. However, they confirmed to him that his presence would be necessary throughout the proceedings, as he was the intermediary as well as the head of security.
When they were ready, Acaraho sent first for Khon’Tor.
* * *
The Leader arrived and greeted the High Council members. They indicated that he was to take a seat at the front table with them. After seating Khon’Tor, Kurak’Kahn, High Council Overseer, spoke directly to him.
“Khon’Tor, Leader of the People of the High Rocks, we have been summoned to hear a matter of urgent importance to the welfare of your people. As Leader, you are permitted to be in attendance. You will be able to hear all the conversation and what the petitioning party has to say. However, since this involves your community directly, you will not be able to participate in our determination of whatever action might be necessary. We will, however, allow you to make whatever remarks you wish after we have heard the matter, and before we adjourn. Do you understand and accept these protocols?”
It was more a formality as every Leader everywhere knew the rules of engagement should an issue of this magnitude arise within his own walls. Khon’Tor nodded that he did.
Then Kurak’Kahn looked at Acaraho and announced, “Please have the People’s Healer, Adia, Second Rank, and the Leader’s Mate, Hakani, Third Rank, brought to this meeting.”
Khon’Tor could not help but look across at the Overseer. He did not want Hakani there. But it was too late. They did not know he had stripped her of her rank, and the Overseer himself had ordered her attendance. Perhaps it was she after all who had lodged a complaint.
Time crept uncomfortably by. While they were waiting, Khon’Tor considered each of the High Council members and what their opinion of him might be.
First was Ogima Adoeete, High Chief of the Brothers. Though this was a matter for the People, the High Council requested Leaders of other tribes, who might have first-hand knowledge of the affected community, to participate in the hearings. Khon’Tor had no problems with Ogima Adoeete. The partnership between his people and theirs had been in place for generations. Khon’Tor almost thought of Ogima Adoeete as a friend, and in many ways looked at him as a mentor.
Because leadership of the High Rocks had been passed to Khon’Tor at an earlier age than most, after the loss of his father he had often turned to Ogima Adoeete for counsel. However, the Brothers were ruled by honor as much as were the People. Khon’Tor had broken the People’s First Laws regarding unprovoked violence against another of the People, and specifically the First Law: Never Without Consent. Despite their previous good relations, Khon’Tor knew he would find no support from Chief Ogima.
Next was Is’Taqa, Second Chief to the Brothers and Ogima Adoeete’s right hand. Is’Taqa was the one who had found Adia where Khon’Tor had left her for dead, and he had hurried to Kthama for help. The fact that Is’Taqa had first-hand knowledge of the condition in which Khon’Tor had left Adia would go harshly against him.
Then was Lesharo’Mok, from the People of the Deep Valley, who, in the absence of a male heir was the rightful successor to Apenimon Adoeete, Adia’s father. Khon’Tor did not even linger in his consideration of what their position would be. Adia’s father was a legendary Leader, and there would be no mercy here for an attack against his beloved daughter. Though not a direct offspring, Lesharo’Mok was blood-related to Apenimon Adoeete and therefore to Adia.
After him was Harak’Sar, Leader of the People of the Far High Hills. Harak’Sar was known to be a strong-willed Leader like himself. If anyone would understand the reasons for what had happened, Harak’Sar was his best bet.
Lastly was Kurak’Kahn, the High Council Overseer himself. Kurak’Kahn had been the Overseer for as long as Khon’Tor could remember. No doubt he had heard every possible excuse for the breaking of one of the People’s laws. He doubted he would find any mercy there, either.
Looking at himself through their eyes, all Khon’Tor could see was a criminal. But I am not! I am dedicated to the welfare of my people. I would do anything to maintain the peace and well-being of my community.
He would have somehow to make them understand this, make them see he had lost control, yes. But that anyone in his position, with the stress he was under, could have done the same. If need be, he decided he would even go so far as to tell them of Hakani’s cruel treatment of him, the vacant barren years of their relationship, the two females’ ongoing defiance of his authority—whatever it took to make them understand this was not his fault.
Nothing was going to undo what he had done, but making it known would only destroy the peace just returning to his people. And they would lose his leadership—the leadership they needed to bring them through the impending threat of the Waschini. He had made a mistake, he would admit to that.
But was not the ongoing order of the People, and their future protection, more important than one life—even a Healer’s? Nothing could undo what happened; leaving her to die was the appropriate choice for a Leader to protect his community.
* * *
Hakani and Adia finally arrived at the meeting room. Hakani was totally in the dark. Her mind was swirling with her crimes, and she wondered if perhaps this had something to do with her. Her eyes darted around the room suspiciously. She knew of all the High Council members but had only ever interacted with a few.
Adia and Hakani stood before the panel as Kurak’Kahn addressed them. He spoke to Adia first, as Second Rank.
“Adia, Healer of the People of the High Rocks, we have been summoned to hear a matter of urgent importance to the welfare of your people. As Healer and Second Rank, we welcome your attendance. You will be allowed to hear all the testimony offered; however, you will not be able to participate in our determination of whatever action might be necessary. We will give you an opportunity to
make any comments you wish before we adjourn to consider our decision in this matter. Do you understand and accept these protocols?”
Adia nodded and remained standing as she had not been dismissed.
Kurak’Kahn then addressed Hakani with the same instructions. Hakani nodded, realizing no one had told them that Khon’Tor had stripped her of her Third Rank. Her mind was still racing to figure out what this could be about.
When the Overseer finished, he told both the females they could sit down. Adia took a seat and waited for the next direction.
Kurak’Kahn then turned to Acaraho, who had invited them.
“Acaraho, it was through you the request came for our attendance to this matter. Please bring the offended party to us now so we may hear their plea.”
Adia stood up and stepped forward to address the High Council.
“High Council members. It was I who requested your intervention. Thank you for coming to hear my matter.” Adia stood tall and composed. Her gaze was steady and unwavering. She addressed them with formality and presence.
Khon’Tor froze. He gripped the flesh of his thighs painfully under the table with his fists.
Hakani’s head snapped over in Adia’s direction. She could think of nothing about Adia that would warrant the involvement of the High Council.
Though it was improper, the High Council members stirred just the slightest bit in their seats. This was Adia, daughter of Apenimon Adoeete and the most respected Healer among the People. Even the Brothers revered her. Whatever crime had been committed against Adia would be met with the most severe consequences permissible.
“Adia,” Kurak’Kahn addressed her again. “What crime has been committed against you?” he asked, cutting to the point.
“No, Kurak’Kahn, Overseer of the High Council. It is I who have committed the crime which requires your intervention,” she stated plainly without emotion.
The Healer’s Mantle Page 8
