The Healer’s Mantle

by Leigh Roberts

  “No, Is’Taqa, I do not. I do not think even Nadiwani knows that. Adia is very careful never to talk about any of it. Even her accident a while back—she never talks about that either. But of course, she does not remember much, from hitting her head.”

  “Do you think it is Acaraho?” Is’Taqa hated to put the idea into her mind in case it had not already occurred to her. He knew Acaraho was not the father—but he wanted to see if there might be an appearance that he was.

  “I do not know Is’Taqa. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I do not. If you could see the looks they exchange; there is something there. I think for people who do not know them well enough, it would be an easy assumption. As I said, they spend a lot of time making a point not to look at each other. And when he walks by, I can feel the energy pass between them. Does that make sense?” she asked.

  “It does, Honovi. Thank you,” he replied. Is’Taqa put his hand to his mouth and closed his eyes, thinking. If Honovi had noticed tension between Acaraho and Adia, then there was a good chance that others also had. He knew Adia would have to announce her pregnancy soon.

  It would be very convenient and in Khon’Tor’s best interests to let people think Acaraho was the father. And it would not be above Khon’Tor either to encourage such an assumption, thought Is’Taqa.

  Is’Taqa had seen Khon’Tor’s reaction when Kurak’Kahn of the High Council spoke to Acaraho at the end of the session. He sensed Khon’Tor was feeling some jealousy over the positive attention Acaraho was receiving—especially at a time when the Leader was being so challenged and was probably worrying every day about his secret being revealed.

  For the first time, Is’Taqa was starting to worry about the stability of the People and their future. Both the People and the Brothers would likely face increasing intrusion of the Waschini into their land. A Waschini presence would have an enormous impact on the People’s ways. It was different for the Brothers; the Waschini knew they existed. But no one other than the Brothers knew of the Sasquatch.

  How the People came to be was a secret known only within a select circle. For many generations, the Sasquatch and the Brothers had lived peacefully side-by-side, but that had not always been the case.

  According to the stories passed down from the Ancients, eons ago the Sasquatch were not the People as the Brothers knew them to be now. They were the Nu’Numic Sasquatch of other regions. Far larger than the People, they were huge, hulking creatures with thick, heavy coats and broad features. The Brothers called them the Nu’Numics, but the People also knew them as the Sarnonn.

  At that time, the Brothers and the Sarnonn Sasquatch did not live in direct relationship. The different groups kept to themselves, respecting each other but having little interaction. They shared no language and almost exclusively remained in their respective territories. A glimpse of a Sarnonn by the Brothers was a rare occurrence.

  During that period, a disease spread through the Sasquatch communities, up and down between those next to the Mother Stream and even to the communities slightly beyond. It left most of the males sterile. No longer able to reliably impregnate their females, the population was reduced to alarming levels. Out of desperation the Sasquatch females cross-bred with the Brothers. Because physical mating was impossible, the Sasquatch used a long-forgotten method to extract the Brothers' seed, through a means which bought the males’ silence. It was another of the mysteries of the Age of Darkness, the answer to which would most likely never be known.

  When they discovered that the two tribes could interbreed, word traveled to the others in the area. Slowly, over time, the population was re-established, except that the offspring were mixed—part Brother and part Sasquatch. Once their numbers were strong enough, and the following generations were producing consistently healthy offspring, the People abandoned this practice against the Brothers.

  Smaller than the original Sasquatch, and built more like the Brothers, they inherited the best attributes of each. They still had incredible strength but in a smaller, less bulky package than the Sarnonn. According to the ancient stories they were also smarter than the Sarnonn, and though still somewhat resistant to change, they were more inclined to innovate. The thick, heavy coat was gone, replaced with a much lighter almost down-like undercoat, combined with a thicker covering in specific areas, but which still provided protection from the elements. Manual dexterity was greatly improved. As a result of the physical changes, cultural changes followed.

  They became known to themselves and the Brothers as the People.

  It was a dark age for the Sasquatch. There was great turmoil within their communities, and it took many generations for both the Sasquatch and the Brothers to make peace with what the Sasquatch had done.

  As their culture changed, the People formed the High Council and the Second Laws. And from then on, pairings were controlled by the High Council to ensure that new bloodlines were dispersed through their communities. Only the Leaders were allowed to select their own mates.

  It was the single time in history that the Sasquatch had betrayed the Brothers’ trust. The details of the story were lost—or discarded—over time; perhaps out of embarrassment or possibly to keep the peace between the two tribes. In the Brothers’ villages, the story was passed down to the Chiefs and Medicine Women only.

  Among the People, what survived of the story was also known only to a very small circle. It was a period of deep disgrace for them and was rarely spoken of: the Wrak-Wavara, the Age of Darkness.

  Eventually, the Brothers and the People developed a beneficial relationship. They developed a common language; they exchanged innovations and knowledge. For the wounds inflicted by the Sasquatch to heal had taken a great deal of effort, goodwill, forgiveness, and the intention to understand and embrace their differences.

  The Waschini did not seem to have any interest in embracing differences. From what the Brothers and the People knew of them, they were marauders at heart, taking what they wanted and destroying whatever got in their way. They were more adaptable, and they were wilier than both the Brothers and the People. And they did not seek to understand what they were afraid of; they attacked it, subdued it, and kept on going.

  Is’Taqa feared that of the three tribes, the future belonged to the Waschini for their ruthlessness.

  He turned his thoughts back to the issues at hand.

  The problems between the Leaders of the People were becoming critical. The tension between Khon’Tor and Hakani seemed only to be worsening. The Leader’s mate appeared to want to cause as much trouble and anguish for Adia as possible. Hakani had still not produced an heir and had just lost the one she was carrying. Now, on top of all that, she was going to raise Adia’s offspring—not knowing that her mate was the father and that the offspring, if a male, was the rightful heir to Khon’Tor’s position.

  Everywhere Is’Taqa looked, there was explosive tension building between the three.

  Up until now, Acaraho had been the stabilizing force—well thought of, revered even. He had been uncontaminated by whatever was going on with the leadership trinity. But now, with Adia’s pregnancy and Khon’Tor’s growing jealousy of Acaraho, Is’Taqa was confident that Acaraho’s character was soon to be brought into question.

  And, having witnessed Khon’Tor’s attack on Adia, Is’Taqa knew the truth that could blow it all wide open.

  What would happen to the People of the High Rocks? Ogima Adoeete is right; somehow, this will end up being Khon’Tor’s undoing. People will follow a corrupt Leader, but only if they do not know he is corrupt. And eventually, the truth has a way of coming out.

  Is’Taqa could not decide whether it was best for the People to let it unfold in its own time, or if he should come forward and bring it all to a head. And did he have a right to intervene? Was it not for Adia to choose how to handle what Khon’Tor had done to her? Realizing how dangerous the dynamic truly was between Khon’Tor, Hakani, Adia, and now Acaraho, the burden of what he knew was becoming unbearable.

  *
* *

  Over the next few days, Honovi spent as much time as possible with Ithua. It did not take her as long as she thought it would, though, before she felt she should return to Kthama. She knew Adia would be missing her help more and more with each passing day. Reluctantly, she let Is’Taqa know she would be ready to go back in a few days. She and Ithua prepared a special meal for her last night there. After they had enjoyed it, the three once again sat around the warm fire that chased away the slight chill in the night air.

  Is’Taqa looked over at Honovi and noticed again how beautiful she was, softly highlighted by the fire’s glow. I am sorry she is returning to the People. I will be glad when she visits again. I have missed her.

  The next day, Is’Taqa made the trip back to the meeting place with Honovi. She had a bag packed by Ithua for Adia and Nadiwani. Is’Taqa handed Acaraho the bag and watched the two of them leave, feeling sad that he would possibly not see Honovi for some time.

  Chapter 8

  Adia and Nadiwani were glad to see Honovi return. When Oh’Dar saw her, he trundled directly over and flung himself into her arms. Honovi grabbed him up and hugged him tightly. She was back in her second home.

  In the small space of her absence, Honovi could see a difference in Adia’s figure; changes that were becoming undeniable. If the Healer had been a regular paired female of the population, there was no doubt the others would have figured out by now that she was with offspring.

  Adia saw Honovi looking at her. Time is up. Adia had to let the community know of her condition. Facing the High Council had been very hard, and this was not going to be any easier. She waited until Honovi was away to figure out with Nadiwani how best to make such an announcement.

  “This should be a time of joy,” sighed Adia.

  “I am sorry. But perhaps the People will surprise you. They know how dedicated you have been to them. None of us is above making a mistake,” said Nadiwani, reaching out to cover Adia’s hand in her own.

  “In their eyes, I have let them all down. I have violated the basic tenets of my position. This is a time of shame for me, not one of celebration.”

  Nadiwani waited.

  “My failing is going to be a shadow hanging over me and this poor offspring for the remainder of both our lives. Yes, every offspring is innocent, but this one will enter Etera already shackled by a heritage of shame.” Adia sighed again.

  “I wish I had asked the High Council to stay and make the announcement. After all, it is a result of my committing a crime. Any attempt to make it otherwise is going to be a disaster.”

  There would be no showering of congratulations and smiles for her, as there had been for Hakani when Khon’Tor announced that she was with offspring. And there was the matter that her offspring was to be handed over to Hakani. Adia remembered the last few words between Kurak’Kahn of the High Council and Acaraho.

  “I am going to talk to Acaraho and see if he thinks rather that a general assembly should convene and someone from the High Council announce my condition. They could also explain why another Healer is coming and that eventually, Hakani will be raising the offspring.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “I think you are right,” replied Nadiwani. “The gossip and undercurrent of speculation and conjecture will run rampant without some formal declaration. I can already feel a shift since the High Council’s visit. Everyone knows something serious is afoot; there is no reason otherwise for the High Council to have traveled to meet with our Leaders. There is already uneasiness and concern circulating over this.”

  Adia was still keeping Khon’Tor’s secret for fear of destroying her people through the loss of the powerful Leader they so desperately needed; a Leader who could get them through the trying times ahead. She still believed it would be worse if they knew the truth, but this was not going to be an easy path either.

  The next morning, she sent word that she wanted to meet with Acaraho.

  Adia considered meeting at one of the many tables in the community eating area. She debated whether it was better to meet him openly or to have him keep coming to her quarters. Since he would be mentoring Oh’Dar, she felt everyone might as well get used to seeing them interact, which meant they should meet publicly. They were both in positions of authority, so no one would sit close by or interrupt their conversation. Still, they would have to keep their voices reasonably low. She was starting to second guess every move she made, as speaking quietly could also be misconstrued. In the end, she decided to have him come to her quarters as he had been doing up to now.

  Acaraho listened carefully to everything Adia said, and when she was finished, he sat back for a moment before commenting.

  “I understand all your concerns, and I think they are very valid. There is already too much conjecture among the People regarding the High Council’s visit. They know something important has happened or is about to happen. It does no good to prolong the announcement and let them continue to worry and frighten each other.

  “I also agree that there must be a formal announcement. Though I understand that this is not a matter you want to draw attention to, it is going to be at the forefront of everyone’s minds, regardless of how they learn about it. Better to have it framed appropriately, as you have said—so they have something definitive to think about instead of reacting emotionally to the situation,” continued Acaraho in rational assessment of Adia’s reasoning.

  He went on, “Having the High Council here would certainly create the formal atmosphere and gain everyone’s attention. It would probably also reassure them that despite the recent turmoil, there is still order and structure; we are not isolated, because we are still part of a larger culture. And in a general assembly, they would all hear the same message at the same time.

  “It is well thought out, Adia. I am impressed.”

  She let a little smile escape and lowered her eyes for a second.

  “Let us talk about it a bit more, though,” he continued. “This is a volatile time for everyone. I think you will agree that things were settling down before the High Council visit. Even the news of Hakani’s miscarriage had a unifying effect. But since the High Council came, everyone is stirred up again, and the reason for that, ultimately, is the tension between the Leaders. You, Khon’Tor, and Hakani. I include myself in the leadership circle, but I have so far not been directly involved in the discord.

  “Yes, I know Khon’Tor stripped Hakani of her rank, but the dynamics continue between the three of you regardless of whether she holds that title or not,” he added.

  “I am sure Khon’Tor’s decision only made matters worse in some ways,” she remarked.

  “Yes. It is clear Hakani has been harboring animosity toward both you and Khon’Tor for some time. I pride myself on knowing what is going on around here, but even I have no idea what the reason is. It seems to have been present almost from the very beginning of their pairing and has only grown worse with time. At this point, I am not sure where she would draw the line in trying to create trouble. You know better than anyone how she handled the news of Oh’Dar—clearly designed to inflame everyone’s opinion against you, and probably also against Khon’Tor. Her performance was inexcusably disrespectful of Khon’Tor as Leader, let alone as her mate. I will share with you that I was astonished that she was carrying his offspring, considering the tension between them,” he said gingerly.

  At so intimate a remark, Adia had to look away again for a moment.

  They had never had such a drawn-out conversation. Despite the highly charged topic, they were both enjoying the time together. They had taken the next step toward a more casual level of interaction. For the first time they were Acaraho and Adia having a discussion—no longer High Protector Acaraho and Adia, Healer of the People and Second Rank.

  Adia surmised that Acaraho also felt the shift because his inflection changed.

  “Adia,” he said, turning so he was more directly facing her. “Our people truly do need to hear about this together, all at once, and fro
m someone in authority. But considering that Khon’Tor very likely feels disempowered by your asking the High Council to step in, asking them back again will, in his own eyes, only discredit him more.” He stretched his arm out across the back of the seat, so it reached behind her, almost touching her but not quite.

  It was a distraction difficult to ignore. Adia’s imagination started to slip to possibilities unwise for a Healer to entertain.

  She nodded in agreement. The most important thing to Khon’Tor was his image in the eyes of the People.

  Following Acaraho’s train of thought, she answered, “You think the announcement should come from Khon’Tor.”

  “Yes. As Leader, it should come from him. Whether he can do it, I am not sure. And by that, I mean do it justice, so it calms reactions instead of inflaming them. If he can see the value of that outcome to himself, I believe he will. He is an excellent orator.”

  “You are right. You are right. It should come from him, as Leader,” she agreed.

  In support of his next point, Acaraho glanced down at Adia’s growing figure and then back up to Adia.

  “I know there is not much time. Let me approach Khon’Tor with this. If he refuses or reacts so badly that I do not think he can carry it off properly, I will take your request to the High Council myself,” he said, offering to travel in person to the Overseer.

  They rose, and Adia thanked Acaraho, who left to find Khon’Tor.

  * * *

  Acaraho had not mentioned it, but there was also the possibility that Hakani would leak out the news that Adia was with offspring. He did not know her limits but had to assume that, like Khon’Tor, she had no limits at all.

  As he listened to Adia explain her thoughts and her concerns, Acaraho had reflected on how she never took the easy way out; even in this, she was putting the needs of the community above whatever additional embarrassment or hardship this would cause her.