Khon’ Tor went meticulously over the contents of the High Council meeting. The concerns over the coming of the Waschini to their lands, reports of their cruelty and viciousness, their disregard for the resources of the Great Spirit, the fact that they seemed to have no internal limit to control their drives. Ogima Adoeete and Is’Taqa concurred. Khon’Tor dismissed the group, now having told them first what he would tell the People that afternoon.
As Adia listened to Khon’Tor, her earlier peace about coming forward started to dissipate. She wondered if there could be a worse time to have broken one of the Sacred Laws. And to have it be a Waschini offspring she had brought in—
Perhaps I should tell this to Khon’Tor privately. Oh, but word will spread like wildfire through our people. Better to have it all out at once in front of everyone than to have only pieces of it circulate as gossip.
It was not a mistake. Had the river not been too high, I would never have taken the longer route and discovered the offspring. He would have died with his parents, though much more slowly and horribly. Adia reconfirmed to herself her belief that the currents of the stream of life were divinely guided, and decided that whatever may happen, somehow it would work together for good in the end. She just hoped she would live long enough to see it.
While they were all listening to Khon’ Tor, Hakani was plotting. She doubted Adia would bring the offspring to the meeting at the beginning. That meant she would have it hidden somewhere safe and someone else would bring it at her signal. That someone could only be Nadiwani, and she would no doubt be waiting in the Healer’s Chamber.
The only way Hakani could take control of the timing for what she had planned was to get the offspring herself. Once she did that, Adia and Nadiwani would know about the transgression of entering without permission, but relative to what was about to be revealed, Hakani gambled that her crime would pale in comparison. Regardless, she could see no other way.
She also realized Nadiwani would not hand the offspring over willingly. No matter; she was resolved to do whatever it took.
The People arrived ahead of the sounding of the assembly horn that always called everyone to a general meeting. There was much avid chatter and speculation. Even if the topic was most likely to be serious, there was still excitement that the Leader would be addressing the entire community.
Khon’Tor, Ogima Adoeete, and Is’Taqa were seated together at the front of the Great Chamber as a sign of the solidarity between their tribes. Adia was sitting toward the front of the group. Not knowing what to do with Arina, she had brought her to the meeting, and they sat together. Looking around, Khon’Tor was not sure where Hakani was and thought it odd because she was usually at his side enjoying at every opportunity her elevated position as the Leader’s mate.
Khon’Tor rose, and as he did, Ogima Adoeete and Is’Taqa rose with him. The Leader raised his hand to speak, at which point everyone immediately fell silent. All eyes were focused on him. It was as quiet in the Great Chamber as when it was completely vacant. The only sound was the water dripping down the sides of the walls.
“As you know, Ogima Adoeete and Is’Taqa of the Brothers, and I have returned from the High Council,” started Khon’Tor, motioning toward the Chiefs standing to his right.
“We bring you greetings from the Leaders of the other tribes and communities. Unfortunately, the intent of the High Council meeting was not a happy one; this was not a time to discuss pairings or news of great harvests or to share gifts. It was instead a discussion and a planning session regarding a threat which faces our people as well as our friends, the Brothers,” said Khon’Tor.
“Our People and the Brothers have lived in peace together for as long as we can remember. We have faithfully preserved the gifts of the Great Spirit, using them wisely, being grateful for the generosity of his provision. We have strived to keep the laws of our people, just as the Brothers have honored theirs. We have enjoyed generations of peace and relative prosperity as neighbors due to our shared beliefs and values. Unfortunately, not all those who walk among us share these same beliefs and values,” he continued.
Khon’Tor stood rock still. He hardly ever walked around when he was speaking. He saw it as shifting and breaking the energy of his message.
“The Ancients foretold that conditions would change for us. They foresaw a time of trial, ushered in by intruders who would be unlike any of us, People and Brothers alike. That time is now on the horizon,” he stated.
At that, a murmur rose up and spread through the crowd. Heads turned, and remarks were exchanged at the seriousness of this announcement. Khon’Tor gave them a moment to settle down.
The hall fell silent once more, and he began to speak again.
“Some of you have heard of the Waschini—the Whites as they call themselves. There are many names for them among us and the Brothers, and none of them are complimentary. From the reports we have, the Waschini live disconnected from the Great Spirit. They act in ways which demonstrate no respect for life; no sense of responsibility for the preservation of Etera, our world. They are cruel, brutal, self-serving. They murder females and offspring, and whatever else gets in their way.
“As heartless as they are, they are also unfortunately equally as intelligent. They have constructed tools and weapons far beyond our abilities. We do not know where they come from, but we know several of them have already arrived in the far coastal regions and they seem intent on extending their reach into our lands.
“The People, like the Brothers, choose peace whenever possible. We are not afraid of conflict, but we do not seek it out. Truly, we have never encountered another creature like the Waschini, with no boundaries to the evil of which they are capable. Because their souls—if they have them—are so alien to ours, we cannot allow ourselves to believe we understand them. We cannot allow ourselves to underestimate the potential devastation they bring. To do that might risk the final demise of the People.”
After the earlier meeting, Adia had decided to leave Oh'Dar in the Healer’s Quarters with Nadiwani. She had arranged for one of the females in her inner circle to fetch them if, after all, this seemed to be the right time. She knew she had to be very precise in the timing. She had to know when the other discussion was winding down, but not so far that the crowd started to dissipate. She tried to let go and trust it would work out as it should.
But the longer Khon’Tor talked, the worse Adia felt. From the picture Khon’Tor was painting, there were no redeeming qualities in the Waschini. She could feel the tension and alarm rising in the group. Her earlier faith in her timing collapsed, and right or wrong, she decided this would certainly not be the time to reveal the presence of Oh’Dar in their midst and confess her crime in bringing him here.
Adia caught the eye of the female, Kachina, who was to fetch Nadiwani and the offspring, and slowly shook her head, “No.”
Kachina saw her and nodded that she understood.
No one in the crowd moved; their attention was fixed on Khon’Tor as he continued.
“I do not speak to alarm you. On nearly every level you wish to pick, the Waschini are no match for us. They seem to have no knowledge of the forest, and they have no sense when it comes to their use of the land or the medicines it provides. Their sense of direction is remarkably impaired, and physically they do not come even close to being a threat to us. But their intelligence and their soullessness are a threat, and for that, we must make preparations.
“We have learned through the generations that the winning maneuver in a conflict is to avoid it in the first place. You know I am not a coward. You know that none of the High Council members are cowards. We are more than willing to take our place in battle if the time comes. But war comes with a great price; often an immeasurable price.
“The same Ancients who gave us the laws for our rightful and beneficial living saw this coming years ago. Wrak-Ayya, the Age of Shadows. We of the High Council have mapped out a plan, should it become inevitable. Wrak-Ayya will require us to ch
ange some of our ways, but we will implement those changes as slowly, yet as prudently as possible. We have adjusted to other changes; we will adjust to this one also—if it is what must be.”
The murmur rose again within the crowd. Khon’Tor had known ahead of time that his words would have a great impact on his people. He hated to destroy their peace of mind, but he could not withhold such important information from them, either. It was his responsibility to look out for the People’s welfare, and they deserved to know.
“I remind you of a truth you already possess—that change is the nature of all life. If and when the Waschini come, we will deal with them. We will seek guidance from the Great Spirit. And I assure you, if it comes to direct conflict with the Waschini, I will be the first to defend and protect our people at whatever personal cost.”
Each time he paused, the clamor resumed. Khon’Tor had a gift for speaking; he could move people’s feelings and change their thinking. And when their thinking changed, their behavior followed accordingly.
Khon’Tor raised his hand again, immediately silencing the crowd, and continued.
“I do not intend for my words to alarm you. There may come a time for alarm, but this is not it. There have only been isolated sightings of them on our land. The Waschini are not at our door. And even if they were, again—”
Khon’Tor’s speech was abruptly interrupted. All heads turned to follow a hurried movement rushing toward the front of the room. Suddenly standing beside him on the platform was Hakani, appearing as if out of nowhere and carrying something wrapped in a hide.
As everyone’s heads snapped in her direction, Hakani stepped rudely in front of her mate, interrupting him and shouting over the clamor, “You are a great Leader Khon’Tor, my mate. And we are blessed by your wise leadership. But unbeknownst to you, a great wrong has been done to us. Not only has the Waschini already come to our land, it has been brought here among our very midst!”
Hakani hoisted the bundle in one hand, as high as she could, jerking the cover off to reveal Oh‘Dar dangling helplessly overhead for all the People to see.
Ogima Adoeete, High Chief of the Brothers, had been following every word of Khon’Tor’s speech, nodding his agreement and showing his support. But confusion and alarm crossed his face when Hakani appeared on stage as if from nowhere, holding up the Waschini offspring.
Standing there, staring at Hakani, whose right hand held the offspring, raised over her head, Ogima Adoeete turned to Is’Taqa and asked, “What is Hakani, Third in Command, Mate to Khon’Tor, Leader of the largest Sasquatch tribe in the region, doing with a Waschini child?”
Chapter 6
Adia stood frozen as Hakani held Oh'Dar suspended dangerously overhead. Then without conscious volition, in one giant leap, she was on the stage facing Hakani, legs apart, standing directly between her and Khon’Tor.
Adia could hear the pandemonium break out—the volume, already loud, rose to deafening levels when she sprang onto the stage. She blocked everything out of her mind—her only thought was to protect the small, helpless offspring dangling from Hakani’s upstretched hand.
Every part of her bristling with threat, Adia locked eyes with Hakani and carefully and menacingly leaned in toward her, her hands raised and stretched out to her side, blocking any route of escape Hakani might try.
A rumbling growl rose from her throat as she stared at Hakani. “Hand me the offspring, Hakani,” she said. “Hand me the offspring carefully, or I swear I will gut you where you stand.”
Everyone’s eyes were wide; they had never seen Adia like this. Adia was the Healer, the counselor—not a warrior. No one had known she was capable of such fury. Her body was tensed, her eyes alert, ready to take any action necessary.
Whatever Hakani’s plan had involved, it apparently did not include her own demise, and she slowly lowered the offspring and handed it carefully to Adia.
As soon as she had control of Oh’Dar, Adia cradled the offspring with her right arm and lunged at Hakani, grabbing her hair with her left hand and jerking her head back, exposing the soft flesh of Hakani’s neck. The Healer pressed her sharp canines into the flesh for a moment and then drew back while Hakani clawed the air, trying to maintain her balance.
Adia hissed, “Threaten this offspring again, ever, or even enter the same room as him, and I will rip your throat to shreds, spit out the pieces, and gladly watch as you die in agony with your blood pouring out at my feet.”
Adia released Hakani’s hair and moved her hand to the female’s throat, letting her sharp nails cut into the flesh, not caring if she left a mark.
Adia released Hakani as quickly as she had taken control of her, shoving her backward as she did. Hakani stumbled and fell to the ground. In that same movement, Adia turned swiftly to face Khon’Tor, her dark eyes still black with fury. She gave him the same low growl, her eyes locked on his, daring him to take a step closer to her and the offspring.
Khon’Tor was trying to figure out what was going on. Not only had his mate transgressed by rudely stepping in front of him, but she had contradicted him publicly. She had also completely derailed his intentions for the meeting.
And where the krell did that Waschini PetaQ come from?
In the next moment, his question was answered as he watched Adia cover the distance to Hakani in one lightning-fast bound. In a few seconds, she had recovered the screaming offspring and had Hakani in a death grip.
Khon’Tor had never seen such anger in Adia. He could tell she was one fraction of a thought away from opening Hakani’s neck then and there, right in front of him, the Brothers’ Chiefs, and the entire population of his people. He knew only a fool would underestimate the seriousness of her threat—or her intention to carry it out. The Healer of the People of the High Rocks had become a lethal weapon.
Equally quickly, she had released Hakani and turned to face him. Though he was immanently larger than her, and she did not pose the same physical challenge to him as a male of their community would, he knew by the look in her eyes that if he made one threatening move, she would expend her last breath protecting the offspring.
As Khon’Tor and Adia continued to square off, Is’ Taqa and Ogima Adoeete stepped to the side. From the crowd, Arina ran to join them.
“Adia!” shouted Khon’Tor. Adia’s eyes were fixed—as if nothing existed but the lock she had on Khon‘Tor.
By now, Nadiwani had made it to the Great Chamber. She was holding a wrap to her forehead, a deep red stain of blood spreading through it. Gasping for breath, she entered the vast room to find—in place of a peaceful assembly—a room filled with highly agitated and nearly out-of-control fellow Sasquatch.
The last thing she remembered was Hakani entering the Healer’s Quarters without warning and coming at her aggressively. When Nadiwani came to, her head was splitting, and she was bleeding profusely, a bloodied rock discarded a few feet from where she lay. But worse than any of that was the moment she realized Oh’Dar was missing. Though dizzy and disoriented from the blow to her head, she flew to the Great Chamber as quickly as she could.
“Adia! What are you doing? What is going on here? What is the meaning of all this?” Khon’Tor demanded.
Adia snarled at him again and stepped back, moving herself and the crying offspring into a more defensive position between Khon’Tor and Hakani.
At that moment, Nadiwani pushed her way to the front and her friend’s side. Adia quickly glanced at her, saw how close she was, and passed Oh'Dar into the Helper’s arms. By now, the offspring was crying even harder, and Nadiwani cradled and rocked him. Unencumbered by Oh'Dar, Adia now felt more confident.
The commotion in the crowd had shifted, the focus now intent on the drama unfolding in front of them between their three Leaders, Khon’Tor, Adia, and Hakani. Standing at her full height and not relaxing her offensive stance, Adia turned her attention back to Khon’Tor.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Khon’Tor’s High Protector, Acaraho, moving slowly yet confid
ently toward the front of the room.
“Adia,” began Khon’Tor again. “What is going on? What has happened? What have you done?”
The meeting was out of control. Khon’Tor was no longer in charge of what was happening, and Adia knew this was something he would not tolerate well.
“Khon’Tor,” said Adia finally. “This is not how I wanted you to find out. I was going to come to you, come to this assembly, and explain. But then your mate,” she continued, spinning her head to spit the word in Hakani’s direction, “Your mate violated the sanctity of my quarters, abducted the offspring and executed her little drama just now, making everything worse.” It was not like Adia to place blame on anyone else, but in this instance, she could not see it any other way.
“I will deal with that matter later, Adia. But for now, you owe me—you owe everyone—an explanation for why that spawn of the devil is in our midst.
“I brought the offspring to Kthama,” she stated.
A gasp rolled through the crowd. The Healer of the People had just admitted to willfully breaking Second Law.
In the background, the Chief, Is’Taqa, and Nadiwani were monitoring the crowd, looking for any sign of collusion or a gathering of forces. Acaraho, the People’s High Protector, was standing to the side, watching every move, his attention unwavering.
The room fell utterly silent as Adia went through her story—how she was on her way to deliver the Goldenseal to Ithua, Medicine Woman of the Brothers and Is’Taqa’s sister. She explained about the river being up and her seventh sense telling her not to cross. She told of the setting she had found—the bloody, vicious massacre of the two Whites whom she assumed were the offspring’s parents. She explained how she had discovered the offspring still alive and unharmed and had struggled over its fate, ultimately deciding she had to bring it back with her.
Khon'Tor's Wrath Page 6
