“But though it is only an offspring and currently of little influence, it will grow. And as it grows, so will its skills, talents, and powers. And so will its influence. And along with that influence will come the ability to cause change brought out of its character and essence. Change that would not come about had it not been brought here to live among us.”
“None of us knows the effect that bringing this offspring into our community will have on us in the long term—not even those so strongly connected to the Great Mother,” continued Khon’Tor. As he spoke, he glanced in Adia’s direction so everyone would know the comment was directed at her.
“But the act has been done. Regardless that this is a Waschini offspring, it is, as she says, an offspring nonetheless. And for that fact, recognizing that the role of the Healer is to protect and care for others, especially the weak or sick, or those in need, I will grant her some quarter for the crime she has committed.”
Khon’Tor paused for a moment.
“Because Adia took it upon herself and acted alone in bringing the Waschini offspring here, it will be her responsibility to raise. It will be her burden alone. There will be no leniency; she will still be expected to fulfill her service completely as Healer to the People.” At that statement, the crowd, which had until now been silent, broke into muted conversation.
Khon’Tor realized by their stirring that the severity of the Healer’s sentence was not lost on his people.
An offspring was a tremendous responsibility and caring for one—perhaps even more so an Outsider offspring—would take a great deal of Adia’s time and energy. Everyone there realized that in addition to the physical drain of caring for the offspring, Khon‘Tor had created a massive internal conflict for her as well—she was expected to fulfill her role as Healer for the People without waiver. The second demand was, in truth, equally as crushing as the first.
Seeing the crowd’s reaction, Khon’Tor quickly raised his hand as a signal for silence, and they complied.
“—for the most part,” he added. He then called the four females of Adia’s inner circle to come forward. While they were walking to the front, the talking within the crowd started again.
Once the females were standing next to him, he said, “I will allow two of these four females to help with the responsibilities of caring for the Waschini.” Turning to address the four, but loudly enough that everyone could hear, he said, “You may decide among yourselves which two it will be.” Giving them the choice was a concession on his part to the strain he was putting on their lives as well.
“In addition, the one who has been nursing the offspring, Pakuna, will be allowed to continue until it is weaned. At that point, her involvement will end.”
For the moment, he let his people speak among themselves. The punishment was severe, but it could have been so much worse. Yesterday, Khon’Tor had stated that the offspring should be returned to where it was found and left to die. The People recognized that he had conceded a lot of ground from his original position. And as Leader, he did not have to give up any ground.
Khon’Tor felt his punishment was harsh but just. He had not ordered the offspring killed. He had not ordered Adia banished or stripped of her position. He had found a middle ground that, while it presented a great hardship to her, was not impossible. Her biggest problem was how she would juggle her responsibilities as Healer and as a mother.
There were good reasons why Healers were not allowed to pair and produce offspring—the risk of death while carrying and delivering an offspring was the often-stated consideration, but there was more. For Healers to meet the demands placed on them physically, mentally, and spiritually, time spent in self-care was critical. Time for solitude, rest, meditation, and regeneration—all these were crucial for a Healer’s well-being. And caring for an offspring was conducive to none of it.
Khon’Tor continued with one final statement.
“I will say it clearly, however. If at any time the Waschini offspring presents a direct threat to this community, or to any member—I will kill it myself.”
No one moved; no one breathed.
Adia closed her eyes at his reiteration of this threat.
But it was not a threat.
It was a promise, and if it came to it, Khon’Tor would have no qualms in carrying it out.
Khon’Tor then turned to address the crimes of his mate. Adia had violated a Second Law: No Contact With Outsiders. Though on face value Hakani’s actions had been disrespectful to him as Leader and as her mate and had been in exceptionally poor taste, they were not necessarily a violation of any laws.
However, looking at the actions of both Adia and Hakani, his mate’s crimes were far worse. If one considered the impact of her actions, Hakani had violated the intent of the first one of the First Laws, that personal actions and decisions be first and foremost in the best interests of the People, rather than for any personal interests or gain. But since Khon’Tor had still not figured out his mate’s motives, he could not expect anyone else to, either.
In attacking Nadiwani, Hakani had also broken the First Law forbidding violence against another except in self-defense. And the People would understand that.
In truth, Khon’Tor was not sure he had the authority to revoke Hakani’s rank, but he could not skirt over the severity of her crime. I must do something to appease the community. Adia is revered, and if I do not address Hakani’s actions, someone might appeal to the High Council.
“Now, as to the actions of my mate—” He picked up the pace again, at which point everyone finally exhaled. The room fell into silence once more.
Though Hakani was standing against the wall opposite Adia and Nadiwani, she too was in plain sight. Khon’Tor intentionally refused to look in her direction as he began.
“—I make no excuses, nor will I offer any explanation for Hakani’s actions. Because Hakani is my mate, you will have to accept my word that some of the repercussions for her behavior will be unknown to you but will be painful for her to bear. In abducting the Waschini from the Healer’s Quarters, not only did she violate the sanctity of their space, but she also attacked the Healer’s Helper, Nadiwani. Our law forbids violence against another except for self-defense.
“As for the public punishment of her crime, I now strip her of her position as Third Rank. She will no longer sit as one of the leadership, nor will she have any role of influence while I am Leader. Make no mistake; violence against each other will not be tolerated. And no one who attacks another has any right to hold a position of authority.” As he spoke this last sentence, he looked across at Hakani.
The chill in his eyes conveyed not only the seriousness of Hakani’s transgressions but also the weight of her punishment, declared and undeclared.
After the fiasco of yesterday, Khon’Tor was confident he had re-established himself as the unchallenged authority of the People of the High Rocks.
Having said all he had to say, and satisfied with the mindset of the crowd, Khon’Tor stood for a few seconds longer. Surveying the crowd one last time, instead of raising his arm as was his standard closing gesture, he raised and slammed the Leader’s staff into the floor, the resounding crack signaling that an official decree had been issued.
Khon’Tor then stepped down from the front of the room. As he walked out, knowing all eyes were following him, he made sure he carried himself at his full height.
As soon as Khon’Tor exited, Adia and Nadiwani left as well. Hakani remained next to the side wall. The People filed past, not approaching her or looking in her direction. She felt invisible and humiliated and was seething inside. Khon’Tor had stripped her not only of her power; he had alluded to unknown punishments. And by not naming them, these were left to everyone’s imagination.
She waited until nearly all had left the great hall and then sneaked to their quarters. When she walked in, she saw that in her absence, a separate bed had been set up across the room from the area she and Khon’Tor shared.
Hakani sto
od there horrified, her mouth hanging open. He did not do this himself. That means he ordered it done. So others are now aware we no longer share the same bed? Has he exposed the intimate rift between us?
Her public humiliation was complete.
Her satisfaction at finding a way to trump Adia’s power faded into the background. In her anger, she kicked at the arrangement of soft grasses and provisions, scattering them across the floor.
“That will do you no good, Hakani,” came Khon’Tor’s voice from a corner of the room.
She spun around in shock. He was leaning against the wall, watching her; muscled arms crossed high on his chest.
Her anger welled up, and she lunged at him in a rage. Laughing, Khon’Tor easily caught both her wrists at once and pinned them in front of her, holding her defenseless.
“You are only making things worse, Hakani. I had the separate sleeping mat set up so you would not have to share mine. What you took as an insult was meant to be an accommodation to provide you some level of privacy.”
She did not believe him. He surely did mean it as the insult she took it to be. It was his way of reminding her, “When I want you, I will come to you, and other than that any other purpose you may have for me is dismissed.”
His arrogance enraged her. Even her earlier realization of the power that would come from bearing his offspring gave her no comfort. At the moment she wanted nothing more than to anger him, and she set aside her earlier concession to embrace the role of Asdza Ayashe Aama, Mother Of His Offspring.
“You may come begging to me all you wish, Khon’Tor,” she hissed, and spat at him. “I will never give my consent.”
“Have it your way, Hakani,” he replied calmly. “You may change your mind in time. If not, it is of no consequence to me. There are many willing young maidens eager to be mated by me and bear my offspring. I will give you some time to rethink your position, however.”
Then he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Just do not take too long.”
Still pinned, she was powerless to inflict on him the harm that she wished to. All she could do at the moment was to bare her teeth and hope he could read in her eyes how slowly and painfully she wanted to kill him, right then and there.
He added, “Oh, and I have also taken the liberty of having all sharp tools, objects, or anything else that could be used as a weapon removed from our quarters. Just to save you the time looking.”
Adia and Nadiwani made it back to the Healer’s Quarters together, and Acaraho positioned himself just outside the door. Though he knew no one could get past the guards he had stationed there, he still felt a need to be closer to the two females whom it was his duty to protect. With the situation as it was, Nadiwani would most likely be staying with Adia for the foreseeable future. It would be far easier to protect them both if they were sleeping under the same roof.
The day was finally over. After relaying to Donoma what had happened while she was watching over Oh’Dar, they both settled in for the evening. Confident of their safety with the presence of the massive Acaraho who insisted on staying just outside their door, and with Oh'Dar fast asleep, the two females themselves fell asleep very early. At least for a little while, they found peace from everything that had happened.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Adia and Nadiwani awoke and started discussing how they would care for Oh'Dar as well as fulfilling their duties to the People. Though it was Adia’s burden, there was never a moment when Nadiwani did not stand with her in this responsibility.
Before they had been up too long, Acaraho announced that the females whom Khon’Tor had allowed to help were asking permission to enter.
“Of course,” said Adia, curious as to which two it would be. “Please send them in.”
Two of the original four females entered the room—Mapiya, who was the oldest of the original four, and Haiwee, who was the youngest. Mapiya had raised two offspring of her own, both males, and both of whom had already been paired and were established in their adult lives. Haiwee also had lots of experience and had more time to donate than the others because her son was nearly grown.
Adia was happy to see them and was filled with overwhelming gratitude for their help and their sacrifice. She hugged each of them. As she started to thank them, they both smiled and asked where the offspring was and if Adia had decided how they could best assist her in raising him.
Adia had no plan. She was still trying to catch up from yesterday. Nadiwani, however, did indeed have a plan. Not only did she have a plan, but she also had a schedule mapped out, as well as individual assignments. Once again, she had set aside her responsibilities and come to Adia’s aid when the Healer needed her most.
As the four females sat down together, Nadiwani outlined the course of training she envisioned for the Waschini offspring.
“While he is an offspring, the matter of his care is relatively simple; keep him nourished, hydrated, safe, and warm. Of all those, the only one that presents a challenge is keeping him warm. Lacking our body hair, and given the constant cool temperature of the cave, the biggest risk for Oh'Dar is his core temperature dropping too low. So he has always to be encased in layers upon layers of wrappings. It is not a huge impediment since he is not mobile at present, but clearly, other arrangements will have to be made, and reasonably soon.”
As she finished, an image popped suddenly into Nadiwani’s mind: Is’Taqa standing next to Ogima Adoeete amid the chaos of the events of two nights before. She understood the message; the Brothers were also mostly hairless like the Waschini, and they were adept at fashioning warm wrappings out of tanned animal skins and hides. They would be able to supply whatever covering Oh'Dar needed. And since they had been there when Oh'Dar’s presence was revealed, they were already aware of what Adia had done.
I am sure both Is’Taqa and his sister, the Brothers’ Medicine Woman, would be glad to help. Khon’Tor said Adia could only have the help of two females from this community; he did not stipulate that there could be no help from outside the community.
Nadiwani next outlined the areas in which she believed Oh'Dar should be trained.
“First is Handspeak. We are unsure if he has the vocal capabilities to speak our language, so this is his best bet in joining our community.” Handspeak was used commonly among the People and was the first language they taught their offspring.
Next on the list was the obvious; living with them he would learn about the natural medicines available through the plenty that surrounded them. Though Healer Helpers were traditionally females, there was no prohibition against males learning the trade. They lacked the seventh sense of the females, but they could still be of use in gathering and preparing the tinctures and powders in the Healer’s pantry.
Down the road, he would need a male mentor; one who would eventually teach him the ways of hunting, preparation, fishing, toolmaking, and all that it meant to be a man. Who that might be was inconceivable at present. They filed it away for later; they did not need to resolve it now.
The last point on Nadiwani’s list was controversial, to say the least. Though Khon’ Tor had said Oh’Dar would never be allowed to leave and live among the Waschini, Nadiwani strongly felt that he should be taught their spoken language. Because she was not sure how Adia would feel about this, she did not share it in their little impromptu meeting. She thought it only fair to discuss it with Adia first; after all, the Healer was his mother.
Mother. Aama. Nadiwani wondered if this had even sunk in yet.
The other females stayed a while longer, then took their leave. Adia and Nadiwani still had much to discuss, and they were able to look after Oh‘Dar themselves, for the time being, centering their activities within the Healer’s Quarters and interrupted only by Pakuna’s regular visits.
Because of the need not only for a sleeping area but also for storage and preparation space, the Healer’s Quarters were the largest private living space in the underground system. The best lit was the preparation area,
into which the overhead tunnel allowed shafts of sunlight to enter. It did not provide a lot of light, but the People had better vision, and they were not hindered by low light conditions as were the Brothers.
Parallel to the back wall ran several long working platforms consisting of long, flat rock slabs. Though well beyond the ability of anyone with the strength of the Waschini or the Brothers, the males of the community had no problem at all moving rocks of that size. However, Adia had no memory of how the materials had been brought in; the Healer’s Quarters had been set up long ago and were used by each Healer in succession. As with the modifications to the tunnels and Great Chamber, each generation of Healers had made improvements and modifications.
Overhead, behind the work platforms, hung rows and rows of herbs and grasses in various stages of drying. A multitude of hollowed-out gourds had also been hung from above and held the variety of powders, stems, and roots that Adia and Nadiwani used in their trade. Collections of dried flowers decorated the side walls—not because of their medicinal value but because they were beautiful and beauty was a gift of the Mother, to be incorporated inside Kthama wherever possible.
The People believed the soul needed at least these five things to be healthy: gratitude, a sense of purpose and connection to the bigger picture of life, relationship with each other, humility, and to live in beauty.
At the farthest end of the quarters lay their sleeping arrangements. As Adia surveyed the area, she realized there was another problem. At present Oh’Dar was not very mobile, but that would change. As he gained the ability to move about, he would be into everything. She had to look with new eyes, foreseeing anything that might harm him, and remove or mitigate it.
Basing their estimates of his age on those of the Brothers’ offspring they had seen, they believed he would be crawling soon. Nadiwani had already fashioned a Keeping Stone for him. Each member of each community had one. It was given at birth in the celebration ritual, something which Oh’Dar never had, and never would. The passage of time was marked on the stone, as well as special milestones in the offspring’s life. A person’s Keeping Stone was irreplaceable. As the offspring grew, a larger stone was used. When they returned to the Mother, the first Keeping Stone was placed with their remains or kept by the family as a remembrance that they had once walked among the People.
Khon'Tor's Wrath Page 10
