On the other side of the door, Acaraho heard all of this. The People had far better hearing than the Brothers and the Waschini.
Over the past few days, Adia and Nadiwani had seemed to be getting more and more comfortable with his presence. He wondered if they realized he could hear everything that went on in the Healer’s Quarters.
Days passed into weeks. Nadiwani fashioned a sling in which to carry Oh'Dar around. For being the spawn of the Waschini Monsters, thought Adia, Oh'Dar is remarkably calm and good-natured.
Pakuna still came frequently to nurse him, and around all their other demands Adia and Nadiwani tended to their usual duties as Healers. No one went without care, but it was not easy.
For the most part; the tension between Adia and Khon’Tor had never subsided. Adia was very aware of it whenever she was in his presence, but she would not allow herself to be intimidated into being a prisoner in her quarters. She made a point of moving about the shared areas nearly every day. It was uncomfortable, but she knew if she allowed herself to retreat now, it would be even harder to resurface later.
Acaraho was still frequently assigned to protect Adia, though as time passed, there were periods when he had to attend to other business. When Acaraho was not available, his First Guard, Awan, was at her side.
Though Acaraho was more than capable of helping her with her tasks, he only ever stood near her. He never offered, nor did she ask for anything more. Aware of his position as High Protector, Adia was grateful for his presence. She had heard many stories of his great skill and bravery. She could relax, knowing that with him at their sides, they were as safe as anyone could possibly be.
Adia still considered Hakani a threat to Oh’Dar, and always would. She shuddered, remembering how Hakani had hoisted Oh’Dar up over her head. How easily she could have lost control; a fall from that height onto the hard rock floor of the cave would have killed him for sure. She could also not rule out some aberrant element that might side with Hakani in seeing the Waschini offspring as a threat.
So Adia accepted Acaraho’s presence and did not try to alter the arrangement. She also did not try to enter into conversation with Acaraho or interact with him in any other way. A second guard was still always posted outside the tunnel to her quarters, in accordance with Khon’Tor’s original command. This left someone always in place when Acaraho followed her on her errands.
I still have not found a way to get word to Ithua or Is’Taqa about borrowing warm wrappings for Oh'Dar. The weather will be turning cold soon. Oh'Dar will become more mobile, and his cumbersome wad of coverings will become an impediment.
Adia could still feel Khon’Tor’s anger smoldering underneath the surface. The last thing she wanted to do was to fan the fire. But time was ticking by, and she needed to make arrangements for sufficient wrappings to keep Oh'Dar warm while accommodating his increasing mobility.
Letting out a deep sigh, Adia accepted that she needed to approach Khon’Tor directly.
Adia realized that no matter how angry Khon’Tor had been with her—and still was—his wrath against Hakani was much greater.
Though they had never been openly affectionate, or in retrospect that friendly either, the physical distance between Khon’Tor and Hakani was now even more considerable. They made no eye contact with each other, and Hakani acted more submissively around Khon’Tor—more like a stranger would act than a mate. There were rumors of separate sleeping arrangements. As Hakani was no longer preparing food for him since the incident with Oh’Dar, Khon’Tor had started taking his meals in the Great Chamber with the community.
So, when she saw an opening, Adia slowly approached Khon’Tor, purposefully giving him time to realize she was coming to speak with him. He scowled, and his eyes seemed to bore holes in her as she approached. She almost had to look away.
“I need to speak with you, Khon’Tor,” Adia said. Khon’Tor silently nodded his agreement.
“The offspring is becoming more mobile. Soon he will be crawling about. Kthama is too cold for him, and I need more versatile wrappings to keep him warm,” she explained.
He said nothing, only staring at her blankly. He then went back to his meal, leaving her standing there.
She continued, “I wish to borrow warmer wrappings for him from the Brothers. Is’Taqa and Ogima Adoeete were present when Hakani—” Her words trailed off.
Khon’Tor sighed and looked her up and down before replying. “I will allow it.” And he turned his attention away—cutting off any further conversation and letting her know she had been dismissed.
Khon‘Tor was confident he had clearly conveyed that he had no interest in the offspring or whatever difficulties she might encounter in providing for it.
But the truth and what he intended to convey were two different matters. Khon’Tor had been getting updates from Acaraho about the two females and the offspring.
When Khon’Tor had assigned Acaraho to protect Adia, that was as far as he intended it to go. However, Acaraho was, by default of his assignment, now privy to what was taking place with Adia, the others, and the offspring. Khon’Tor soon realized he could use Acaraho’s knowledge to his advantage.
As Adia walked away, and as soon as Khon’Tor knew she would not look back in his direction, he lifted his head and watched her leave—for an indulgent moment admitting how beautiful he still found her to be. Usually, when Khon’Tor felt his attraction for Adia rise within him, he squashed it immediately. He had become accustomed to his anger toward her. It had almost become a comfort. As long as he was angry with Adia, his relationship with her was clearly defined. Having a singular reaction to her greatly uncomplicated her constant presence.
As far as his relationship with Hakani went, that had settled into one of outright mutual disdain and avoidance. When one of them was in their quarters, the other made sure not to be. They avoided eye contact when they were in public together. He never invited her to sit or stand at his side. For Khon’Tor’s part, his actions were a continued, intentional statement of his dismissal of her from his life in any capacity—except the one he had made clear was her obligation to fulfill.
Though he was never at risk from her physically, the level of hatred she evidenced toward him left its impression. A male of the People was never justified in hitting a female; in fact, it was punishable under one of the laws. But he was allowed to defend himself if she initiated the attack, using the least amount of force necessary. However, even with that, he had no fear of her in a direct one-on-one confrontation between them. She was no match for him by any means. But she was clever, and he did not put it past her to take revenge on him at some point through some indirect manipulation or scheme. Khon’Tor could tell that Hakani was still intent on refusing to provide him with offspring—or even trying to do so.
I do not want to approach the High Council and let the other Leaders know that a female refuses me. But allowing them to believe she is simply infertile does not guarantee that they would let me move Hakani to separate quarters. And having two females under one roof, one of which expressly hates me, and the other of which would be jealous? No, thank you. But if it comes to that, I shall. I will not put up forever with her refusal to mate with me.
Though they did not know the specifics, the People were aware of the tension between the three Leaders. Khon’Tor was at war with the two females with whom he had primary relationships—his mate and the People’s Healer.
Adia’s mind was taxed by the many challenges she faced. It was only at night, lying in the quiet, uninterrupted peace of the dark, that she allowed her feelings to surface.
She realized that what she had done had changed the community forever. The members of the general population were no longer able to focus solely on their own business. The overriding tension between the three Leaders, and curiosity and concern over the presence of the Waschini offspring and what it might mean to the futures of them all had taken its toll on their previously peaceful existence.
Adia’s actions had c
hanged the interaction between the three of them. We never did have an easy relationship. But at least whatever tension existed between Khon’Tor and me was manageable. But now we are openly at odds. And whatever grudge Hakani holds against me has only deepened. She openly bristles now when I am around.
In the past, it was only Khon’Tor and his mate who had negative feelings toward her. Now, however, Adia struggled with her anger and resentment of them. She could never let herself forget Hakani’s utter disregard for Oh'Dar’s safety, nor the continued threat that Adia was confident Hakani still presented to the offspring and to her.
Thinking of this, Adia gave thanks again for Acaraho’s continual presence. She was not afraid of Hakani. She was afraid of what she would do to Hakani in a second altercation. Acaraho’s presence prevented that opportunity from arising.
Adia wondered how Khon’Tor might have reacted had Hakani not inflamed the problem of Oh’Dar by revealing his presence in such an incendiary display.
She spoke into the dark, “I miss you, Father. You were such a strong yet gentle Leader. You never ruled with a clenched fist. You respected the laws, but you did not wield them like a weapon. I wish you could tell me how to live in peace with Khon’Tor. I cannot understand his strong-armed approach.”
Then again, she wondered if she was unfair; she knew her father had been a rare combination of wisdom, kindness, and strength. She doubted any of the People would ever see the likes of that kind of leadership again.
Adia then remembered she had wanted to go to Khon’Tor in private. But when he had told them of the High Council’s warning about the Waschini, she decided the time was not right.
Adia tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The night afforded her the only privacy she had, and finally, she let the tears come. What if Khon’Tor is right. What if Oh'Dar never does fit in? What if he never finds a real place here, never finds a mate? Is that what I rescued him for? To live as an outcast? The last thing I want is for him to live like me, alone at night with no one to share my burdens—no one to turn to for comfort, support, and affection.
Every night, just before sleep finally came, Adia would remind herself of the promise she had received, that ultimately this would all work for the good of her people and Oh'Dar, and she focused on surrendering her fears.
Chapter 10
One day turned into another, and another. Nadiwani was making great progress in teaching Handspeak to Oh’Dar. Like the offspring of the People, he was able to learn the meanings before he had the motor skills to sign back. He had learned the basics—eat, water, sleep, more, done, pick me up, Mama. He used the sign for Mama interchangeably between Nadiwani and Adia. It did not bother Adia that he also considered Nadiwani to be his mother. She knew he needed all the love he could get if he were to find a place in this world. This world into which she had delivered him.
Word of the Outsiders continued to trickle in, but there was no mention of the need to invoke Wrak-Ayya, though what they learned about the Waschini did nothing to ease concerns. What the Waschini lacked in physical strength, they made up for in ingenuity. Like the Brothers, they took the resources the Great Spirit provided and modified them to their own use. The People also did this but to a different extent. And while the People and the Brothers were content to live in harmony with the Great Spirit, the Waschini seemed intent on bullying her into submission to their uses and designs.
Adia grew uncomfortable with Acaraho’s station outside the door and started to invite him into the interior of her quarters. Though he still stood guard in front of the door, from this vantage point he had even more detailed information on the offspring’s progress to give to Khon’Tor. Though he tried to maintain objectivity, his respect for Adia continued to grow with his first-hand knowledge of the burden she was shouldering with such dignity and grace.
Though she suspected Acaraho might be passing news on to Khon’Tor, Adia did not fault him for it. Neither did she see it as negative. She hoped Acaraho was telling him about more than Oh'Dar’s developmental progress, but about the offspring himself. Does Acaraho notice Oh'Dar’s sweet disposition, his quickness to laugh, and the delight he takes in the simplest of things? He is fascinated by the plants and minerals that make up his world here. He is inquisitive and bright. If there is a monster lurking inside him, I can see no evidence of it.
She wondered if Acaraho was sensitive enough to notice these qualities and was also making Khon’Tor aware of them.
Through the information coming in about the Waschini, Adia learned that her people lived longer, though they seemed to reach maturity about the same time. From that standpoint, she was able to compare Oh’Dar’s development to the community offspring of his approximate age. Compared to his counterparts, Oh'Dar fell far behind in size and strength.
The People’s offspring were easily twice his size at the same age. They were already walking, picking up items, getting into everything. Oh'Dar was starting to walk, but he was shaky and often fell over. His build was not as robust as theirs. Even without Khon’Tor’s restrictions, Oh’Dar could not play with the other offspring. The differences would put him at immediate risk of serious injury or even death.
When it came to intellectual development, Oh’Dar was keeping pace with the others. He had the same inquisitiveness and the same ability to learn new signs. He seemed to be more innovative, making constructions of the items he played with in a way that the Sasquatch offspring never did. Compared to theirs, his manual dexterity was superior—perhaps attributable to his smaller and more delicate hands and fingers? Adia was not sure of that, but taking the different builds out of the picture, he did seem to have finer control of his hand and finger movements.
Adia took these differences as neither good nor bad and noted them only for consideration as he developed, looking for ways in which these differences might be turned into attributes and not detriments. Khon’Tor had issued a challenge when he declared the offspring would never be a contributing member of the community. Adia would find a place for him, but it could not be a decision made from her will and must come naturally out of Oh’Dar’s own gifts. Adia knew that for Oh’Dar to have any chance at satisfaction in his life, he would have to find his place here among the People.
Adia was also aware that the more he grew, the smaller his world here in her quarters would become.
Making blathering noises, Oh'Dar grinned up at Adia. She smiled at him, knowing this was the precursor to speech; he was learning the sounds and structure of language.
“Whose smart boy is that? Yes, you are starting to understand me, aren’t you?”
Nadiwani came over to them, “I still think he needs to learn Whitespeak. I know there are risks, but there are also benefits.”
“I know. And we are not any further toward making a decision. Is Khon’Tor right? Can Oh'Dar never be returned to the Waschini world? Not even as an adult?” Adia asked, not expecting an answer.
And if he does learn Whitespeak, what would be the benefit? Unless he leaves the People and goes to live among the Waschini, there seems no point in his learning it. Having been raised among the People, would he be less of an Outsider among the White Men? But she could not shake the feeling that it was important he learn the Waschini language.
Nadiwani pointed out to Adia, “The window of opportunity will close at some point. Now starts the critical stage when offspring seem to have the greatest capacity to learn language. He might even be able to learn both languages; we do not know the limits to his abilities. And even we cannot see every possible outcome and twist or turn the future might bring for him.”
“I agree. And like it or not, the boy is Waschini. I do not have the right to close the door on his heritage. I have at least to give him the chance to learn his native language. But where will we find a Whitespeak teacher?”
Before Acaraho came off duty, he always met with his First Guard, Awan, and the other guards and watchers. Then he would return to his quarters, the only place where he could drop his
guard altogether. Like all the other single quarters, it had a small sleeping area off to the side, a food preparation area, storage, seating, and an area for personal care. He did much of his thinking and reflection when his long, muscular frame was stretched out at night on the filled sleeping mat.
If he was uncomfortable in his developing role between the Leader and the Healer, he never expressed it. He understood Khon’Tor’s need to know what was going on with the offspring. The High Protector remembered Khon’Tor’s statement that if the offspring ever presented a threat, he would kill it himself. Acaraho never doubted Khon’Tor would follow through on his threat and do exactly as he had said.
Acaraho was now privy to the world of the two females nearly every waking moment. But he had never participated. He was there to provide protection for them and the offspring; he was there to provide information for Khon’Tor. He was not there to take part in any way. So, when they were talking about the need for a Whitespeak teacher, Acaraho found himself in a difficult situation.
For one thing, Acaraho knew Adia was right— If Khon’Tor learns that they are even considering giving Oh’Dar the chance to learn Whitespeak, he will be very angry. Khon’Tor is already convinced the offspring presents a threat—in his mind, it is just a matter of time before that materializes. Adding anything that increases the offspring’s connection with the Waschini also increases the risk to the People.
Khon'Tor's Wrath Page 11
