The Healer’s Mantle

by Leigh Roberts

  “Has he noticed any other woman in your tribe? Is there someone else already in his heart?” asked Mapiya.

  Honovi thought for a moment and then answered, “No, I would have to say there is not.”

  “Men are many great things. They are truly a gift from the Mother. They are our protectors, our providers, our friends, our lovers, and our companions. The Mother gave them many wonderful skills and abilities, but the one thing she seems to have left out is an ability to recognize when a female is interested in them.” said Mapiya. “Unless, of course, she practically hits him over the head,” she added, and they both laughed.

  “Unfortunately, if you want this man you are going to have to let him know how you feel about him. Short of that, you run the risk that he will take an interest in someone else—or at the very least, you may never discover if he returns your feelings.”

  Honovi scrunched her face up at Mapiya’s answer.

  “If I wanted to know, how would I go about finding out?”

  “Tell me, when you go back, what will be the first opportunity for you to be alone with this man?”

  As their conversation continued, Mapiya gave Honovi a couple of ideas on how to look for signs if this man cared for her or not. Now sharing a secret, the two were becoming even closer.

  * * *

  Meanwhile, Is’Taqa and Ogima Adoeete had returned to their people.

  Ogima Adoeete shared Kurak’Kahn’s reservations about Hakani’s motives in claiming Adia’s unborn child. He had been there when she recklessly revealed the presence of the Waschini infant to cause trouble for both Khon’Tor and Adia. He knew Acaraho’s selection of the helpmate for Hakani would be critical in monitoring the baby’s wellbeing.

  The Chief was a great and wise Leader. He had seen many troublesome situations, but the fact of the Healer’s pregnancy shocked him. Adia was revered among the People as well as the Brothers. Ogima Adoeete knew every Healer alive understood the reproductive cycle. So, either Adia had chosen this mating and pregnancy of her own accord—or it had been forced upon her. Under no circumstances was it an accident. The problem was that Ogima Adoeete had difficulty thinking of either option being the case. He continued to roll the events over in his mind as he walked, and came to the only conclusion possible.

  Now nearly home, Ogima Adoeete and Is’Taqa stopped for a moment to share their final thoughts on the matter before returning to their responsibilities.

  The Chief leaned on his staff. “The father should have stepped forward before the Council then and there, Is’Taqa. It will prove to be his greatest shame that he did not.”

  Is’Taqa looked at Ogima Adoeete and blinked.

  The Chief looked back at Is’Taqa and continued. “This. This will be Khon’Tor’s undoing.”

  Is’Taqa was speechless. He knew Khon’Tor was the father because he had watched the attack on Adia. He had waited throughout the hearing hoping Khon’Tor would step forward and confess what he had done. But he did not. Khon’Tor had abandoned Adia to bear the brunt of the High Council’s condemnation just as he had abandoned her to die out in the elements that night. The Second Chief was stunned by Ogima Adoeete’s statement that he knew the father to be in the room during the hearing.

  At that moment, Is’Taqa almost did admit to Ogima Adoeete that he had seen Khon’Tor’s attack on Adia. But he kept his silence. The burden was still his to bear—and what to do about it was something he had to decide for himself. No other man could lift the responsibility from his shoulders, nor could he shift the burden to someone else’s to lighten his own load. To tell Chief Ogima would be to do just that.

  * * *

  Upon her return to the Healer’s Quarters, Honovi asked to speak with Adia and Nadiwani before Oh’Dar was put to bed and she returned to her quarters.

  The three sat together, and Adia and Nadiwani waited for her to begin.

  “I want you to know how much I appreciate your bringing me here. I am very happy that I can help you, and Oh’Dar is a delightful child. I have been here for some time now, however, and I would like your permission to go home for just a little while. I have every intention of returning; I do not want you to think I will not come back. But I would like to go home for a brief visit. I hope you can understand,” she said.

  “Are you homesick, Honovi?” asked Adia kindly.

  Honovi laughed a little bit and nodded, “Yes, I suppose I am. I know you will need me back here, especially with another baby coming. I know you only wanted me here to teach Whitespeak to Oh’Dar, but I feel like I have become part of your family, and I do not mind helping out with Oh’Dar’s care as well. I want you to know that,” she said.

  Adia and Nadiwani had both become very fond of Honovi. They had nothing but respect for the young woman. They appreciated the patience she showed toward Oh’Dar, and it was evident she genuinely liked him and enjoyed spending time with him. She also often willingly stayed longer than her assigned hours to share food preparation and evening meals with them.

  Adia had told Honovi that she was expecting an offspring. There had been too many emotional conversations between the Healer and her Helper for Honovi not to have guessed something was amiss. Honovi did not pry or ask directly, but she knew enough to realize it was unacceptable for the Healer to be with offspring.

  “We certainly understand. When would you like to return home? How soon?” Adia asked.

  “If you do not mind, I would like to leave in the next day or so. I would plan to stay no more than a few days.”

  “I will let Acaraho know so he can get word to Is’Taqa regarding your return,” said Adia.

  “Thank you. Thank you for understanding.”

  “Before you go, we will prepare you a basket of the harvest medicines to take back, as well as one for Ithua,” said Adia.

  “Oh, that is very generous. Thank you, I greatly appreciate it, and I know Ithua will too!”

  They rose, and Honovi left for her quarters.

  * * *

  Is’Taqa received word that Honovi would be returning home for a while. He, his sister Ithua, and High Chief Ogima Adoeete all looked forward to her return. Ithua was particularly interested in hearing how Adia was doing and what Honovi had been studying with her.

  Is’Taqa realized there was a good chance Honovi knew Adia was pregnant. He also realized that the pregnancy would become apparent in very short order. However, he needed to know exactly how much information Honovi had before he was comfortable for her to share anything with Ithua. Adia had not revealed much in the High Council meeting, but he could not take a chance that Honovi might innocently share information and create the appearance that either he or the High Chief had betrayed the sanctity of the hearing.

  Honovi’s return would also allow him to learn more about how the Waschini offspring was doing. He wondered if she would invite him to meals as she had done in the past. It would be an excellent time to sit and chat casually about her experiences there. He did enjoy her company, and he would be glad for the excuse to share in it again.

  * * *

  The day for Honovi’s departure came too soon. She said her goodbyes to Adia, Nadiwani, Mapiya, and the other females and made her way to where she was to meet Acaraho. Honovi no longer had trouble navigating the tunnels as long as she stayed on the brighter upper level. Acaraho had taught her the meaning of the symbols on the walls. She told him he was an excellent teacher and in return, he said she was a bright student.

  Acaraho took the two satchels of herbs and powders she was carrying, and they left together. Honovi thought back to the first time she saw Acaraho and how taken aback she had been by his enormous size and strident approach. What had worried her before was now a comfort. She knew nothing could harm her while he was around.

  Honovi did not have the speed or stamina of Acaraho, so they had to stop for her to rest several times along the way.

  “I hope you have an enjoyable stay, Honovi,” said Acaraho.

  “I will not stay away too lon
g, Commander. I know Adia needs me and even more so with the offspring coming. I will be back soon enough.”

  Honovi has just casually mentioned that Adia is with offspring, thought Acaraho. How would she know that I already have the information? This is how easily Adia’s situation can be made known. When I return, I must make sure that Khon’Tor announces her condition with urgency.

  Finally, they approached the last valley, and Is’Taqa was waiting for them to arrive.

  “Welcome back, Honovi,” he said, taking her bag from Acaraho. “Thank you for bringing her safely. I will send word when she is ready to return to Kthama.”

  Honovi was very tired by the time they arrived back at the village.

  Ithua came over to greet them as she saw them enter. “Honovi, we are so glad to have you back home. You must be exhausted. Please, share our evening meal with us before turning in. We have prepared your shelter, so it is all ready for your homecoming.”

  Ithua had many questions but knew Honovi was tired and probably needed some quiet time to herself.

  Honovi was grateful, and also pleased that Is’Taqa was joining them. Though there was little conversation, Honovi enjoyed their evening together. There was something about the three of them before a warm fire, sharing the meal Ithua had prepared, that provided a level of intimacy. It made her feel as if she were part of their family. And with the closeness that had developed between her, Mapiya, Nadiwani, and Adia, she now had two. Tears welled up in Honovi’s eyes, and Is’Taqa and Ithua quietly exchanged glances with each other.

  When they were finished eating, Honovi showed Ithua the bag of herbs, roots, powders, and tinctures Adia had sent back for her.

  “This is very generous and thoughtful. I must send something back with you for Adia in return,” said Ithua.

  “You look exhausted Honovi. Please, let me walk you to your shelter,” Is’Taqa offered.

  She gladly accepted, not trusting herself in the dark as tired as she was. When they got to her dwelling, she was delighted to see someone had filled it with fresh bedding, and there was an enormous, beautiful silver wolf skin waiting for her.

  “Oh! How lovely! Who left this for me?”

  “I thought you would need it; no doubt even the cooler caves at Kthama are not as cold as the temperatures outside at night.”

  “Thank you, Is’Taqa. That was very kind of you,” she said.

  Is’Taqa just smiled and said, “I hope you sleep well. Welcome back.” Then he left.

  Maybe he does like me, she thought to herself. It was a very generous gift and very thoughtful. But it was also just as likely that Ithua had thought of it and Is’Taqa had followed through with her idea.

  * * *

  The next morning, Honovi was not sure what to do with herself. She was used to being on a schedule. After she had left, her community chores were assumed by others. Ithua had told her the previous night that there was no need to bother herself with them for the short period she would be home. This left her with a great deal of time on her hands.

  Honovi decided to go and visit Ithua to see if she had any questions about Adia’s gift and if there was anything with which she could help the Medicine Woman.

  Ithua was outside warming herself by the morning fire. She smiled when she saw Honovi approaching and motioned for her to sit down. Honovi put her hands out to capture the warmth of the flames.

  “So how did your stay go, Honovi?” asked Ithua. “Did you make progress with the Waschini child? —What is his name?”

  “His name is Oh’Dar, and yes, I believe I did, but I will not really know until he starts forming words instead of babbling. He knows quite a few Handspeak words already and is learning more every day. It makes it so much easier, as I can use the signs he already knows to associate with the Whitespeak words. Nadiwani and I work together. First, she speaks the words to him in our language, and I then speak them to him in Whitespeak. That way, he is learning both languages at once.

  “He is very bright, Ithua. It frightens me how inventive he is. Our people and the Waschini do not seem so different on the surface—we are certainly closer in nature to the Waschini than the Sasquatch are, that’s for sure. But I worry a bit that perhaps the Waschini are even more different, in ways we do not realize,” she said. “If the Waschini ever do come in large numbers, I worry they will unseat our place in the order of things as they are now and always have been.”

  “That seems to be a fairly large assumption based on one little boy,“ said Ithua.

  “I know. But still—” Honovi’s voice trailed off, underscoring her concern.

  “How are Adia and Nadiwani?” asked Ithua.

  “They are doing well. Oh’Dar takes up a lot of their time, you can imagine. It is difficult for them to get it all done, so I have been doing more than working with Oh’Dar on Whitespeak; I have been helping them with his general care also,” she explained.

  And then, there it was.

  “I hope I will be a big help to Adia when her baby is born.”

  Ithua blinked a couple of times and tilted her head. “Baby? What baby, Honovi?” she asked.

  At that point, Honovi realized she had just revealed something she probably should not have. She had gotten so comfortable with Adia and Nadiwani talking about it among themselves that she had forgotten she was no longer there with them.

  “Ithua, I am so sorry. I do not know what the matter with me is. I should not have said that. Oh no, I cannot believe I did that. I meant no harm to Adia; I am so sorry—” she stammered.

  Is’Taqa had come up behind them while they were speaking and heard everything. He startled them when he spoke, and they both turned around at once.

  “It is alright, Honovi. At the moment, only a tiny circle of people know of her being pregnant. But the word will be out soon enough. In fact, Adia will need to let her people know very soon. But I think you and I need to talk before you say anything else about the matter, even to Ithua,” he added and nodded his apology to his sister.

  “Is’Taqa is right,” said the Medicine Woman. “They have taken you into their confidence; you have heard and witnessed things in their private quarters. It is possible you know things about this situation that you should not share with others. You and Is’Taqa do need to speak. You can trust him; he would never use anything you might tell him to harm either Adia or the People. But he does need to know what you know.”

  So, this is the result of Khon’Tor’s rape of Adia? thought Ithua. As if that was not bad enough? It is against their laws for a Healer to risk carrying and delivering an offspring. And Adia’s mother herself died giving birth. But if Adia had come forward about Khon’Tor’s attack on her, I am sure Honovi would not be talking calmly about her pregnancy.

  She and Is’Taqa exchanged a quick, knowing glance.

  “Sit by the fire here, you two,” she said. “I have chores to attend to, and I am anxious to go through and sort what Adia sent over,” and she rose and walked a distance away.

  * * *

  “Alright, Honovi. Just start telling me what you know. I doubt there is anything I do not already know about Adia’s situation, but if there is, I will keep it in confidence,” said Is’Taqa.

  Honovi trusted Is’Taqa. And Mapiya had suggested she spend as much time with him as possible, so this was as good a way as any.

  It was hard for her to know what the Second Chief did and did not know, so Honovi did as he said and started talking. She told him how they had first thought Adia might be with offspring when the morning sickness started. She told him how distraught Adia was, and how often Nadiwani sat with her, trying to bring some comfort.

  Honovi told him how much Adia loved Oh’Dar and how gentle and kind she was with the Waschini child.

  “And I have taught Oh’Dar two different signs, one for Adia and one for Nadiwani, as he was calling them both Mama,” she added, not knowing what was important and what was not.

  “Sometimes, Adia disappears for long periods. We do not
know where she goes or when she will be back. Usually, it is when she is upset, and when she does finally come back, she seems to be better. She is very strong, Is’Taqa. But she also looks as if she is carrying a tremendous burden.

  “I know the Healer is not supposed to bond, is not supposed to have children, and that this is a very controversial situation. Of course, I know the High Council met about an important matter; I am assuming it was about her condition.”

  “Honovi, forgive my questions, but it might help if I can ask you about some things directly. Who else is close to her? Who does she spend time with?” he asked.

  Honovi shifted a bit before deciding it was acceptable to answer.

  “Well, there are two women who also help care for Oh’Dar. One is older, and the other is younger. The older one has become a friend to me. I sometimes take Oh’Dar over to her quarters to play when I feel Adia needs some privacy in her own living space. The only other one who is around is Acaraho. That is pretty much it,” she explained.

  * * *

  Is’Taqa listened carefully. He was becoming concerned about Acaraho’s frequent interactions with Adia.

  “What is Acaraho’s role, from what you can see?”

  “At first, I thought he was only setting things up, arranging for my coming, and having my quarters prepared ahead of time. Then at one point, I thought perhaps he was serving as a guard for her. Now lately, I am not sure. They spend a lot of time not looking at each other—if that makes any sense,” she added.

  It made perfect sense. Is’Taqa knew he had to ask the next question. He unconsciously took a deep breath and let it back out.

  “Do you know who the father of Adia’s child is?” he asked directly.

  Honovi let out a deep, long sigh.