“Where do you think you’re going, big girl?” Two Dogs asked.
He dove at the turklyo and landed on the animal’s shell. His igsidian grew warm to the touch as both blades and all six stones in his clothing reached the brightest orange possible. His improved balance kept him upright on the shell as he gracefully walked along the animal’s back. Once he reached the neck, he sat and allowed a leg to straddle each side.
“Thank you for your gift, Mother Turklyo,” Two Dogs whispered.
He plunged his knife into the left side of the turklyo’s neck; his tomahawk hacked just below the right eye. The turklyo honked again from this new round of pain. Two Dogs ensured his weapons were protected for the strain they were about to be under. With each blade firmly inside the animal, Two Dogs twisted clockwise. His increased strength made short work of the turklyo’s neck. Cracking vertebrae echoed as the animal crumbled to the ground. Two Dogs jumped free. He executed several aerial somersaults before landing perfectly.
Two Dogs took a moment to gather his bearings. The turklyo was mere feet from entering the relative safety of the wooded forest that bordered the tall grass prairie. The igsidian stones in his weapons and clothing faded to their original black color with occasional orange streaks marring the surface. With the magic surrendered again, Two Dogs took in several deep breaths. His body shook as his adrenaline subsided.
Swift Shot caught up to Two Dogs. She was equally out of breath, but her reason was more basic. The short chase had taken Two Dogs a full mile away from where they had started.
“Do you always have to show off?” Shift Shot asked as she regained her composure.
“Every time. The tribe expects it of me now.”
“Perhaps we should change your name to Too Modest?”
“Some already do call me that.”
“If you make this about your dick again.”
Two Dogs laughed. “Nobody would believe me if I told them it was twenty inches from the get go. I have to convince them it’s a manageable twelve inches, then they get the surprise.”
Swift Shot gestured to the open plain. “Mother Turklyo, please give your son Two Dogs a reason to pause before speaking. We mere mortals can no longer breathe when all the air goes straight to his head.”
Two Dogs and Swift Shot clasped forearms as they good-humoredly laughed together. Their attention went back to their prey.
“That’s a big one,” Swift Shot said.
“Women tend to say that around me.”
Swift Shot slapped Two Dogs on the back of his head.
“I meant we’ll need the cart, the one you left a mile to the west.”
Two Dogs rubbed his head. Swift Shot had hit him harder than most would consider polite.
“I guess I’ll go get it,” Two Dogs said.
“I guess you—wait,” Swift Shot said.
Before Two Dogs could ask what was wrong, he got his answer. A second turklyo sprang from the tree line. Two Dogs quickly realized the danger he and his friend were in. The second turklyo was a bull. Not only did this mean it was three times larger than the female they’d killed, but it also came equipped with additional defenses. The male turklyo’s shell was twice as thick and covered in spikes that towered two feet tall. It also had a four-foot tail that ended in a solid igsidian ball. The clubbed tail flicked twice before the turklyo charged.
Both Two Dogs and Swift Shot dove away from the stampeding beast. Two Dogs rolled into a fighting position to the left of the enraged animal. He quickly summoned his magical defenses back but with reduced limits. He hadn’t recovered enough from his showboating earlier. Swift Shot would probably have words for him, assuming they survived.
The turklyo hissed at Two Dogs. It seemed to sense the threat Two Dogs posed. This distraction worked in Two Dogs’ favor. Three arrows quickly entered the animal’s large head. It honked in pain but didn’t even look in Swift Shot’s direction. Instead, it charged Two Dogs. Two Dogs hoped the magical shield he’d erected would be enough to intercept the blow.
The turklyo smashed into Two Dogs. Two feet before connecting with his body, an orange bubble flashed. Two Dogs sensed his barrier breaking, but it held just long enough to stop the animal in its place.
Three more arrows lodged themselves inside the turklyo’s tail. It swung its weapon at Swift Shot, who barely jumped back enough to avoid fractured ribs. Two Dogs took the opportunity that Swift Shot created to swing both weapons at the turklyo’s head. Mother Turklyo wasn’t with him. The animal flicked its head back around and lowered it. Two Dogs’ weapons connected with the extra thick igsidian plate. The shock was too great for Two Dogs to maintain control of his weapons.
The turklyo head butted Two Dogs in the center of his chest. All air promptly left his body as he smashed into the ground. The turklyo raised a foot and dropped it onto Two Dogs. He used the last of his magical strength to hold the leg off. Thousands of pounds of pressure strained against his own willpower. Two Dogs gritted his teeth as he fought for his life. Eight more arrows, the last of Shift Shot’s quiver, sequentially pierced the animal’s neck and head. Taken together, they were mortal wounds for the animal, but apparently the bull turklyo didn’t know this yet. It continued to press against Two Dogs’ hands, which had now collapsed against his own chest.
“Swift Shot!” Two Dogs screamed.
His friend was now on his left side with her tomahawk in hand. It glowed orange as lightning swirled around her left hand.
“Hold still!” she shouted.
“No!” Two Dogs screamed as he heard the crackling of her power. “I’m holding this thing.”
“Arrogant man!” Swift Shot exclaimed.
His words must have convinced her. Instead of convulsing from bolts of lightning, the turklyo was blown from Two Dogs body as gale force winds lifted it off him. Two Dogs’ igsidian stones stopped glowing merely a second after the animal was pushed aside.
The turklyo rolled several yards away. The wind attack ended as Swift Shot prepared a fireball.
“We need the meat,” Two Dogs said, wheezing.
“We need to live a lot more,” Swift Shot countered.
Two Dogs couldn’t find a flaw in her logic. He slowly stood. He held his tomahawk weakly in his right hand, but his knife remained on the grass and dirt. The turklyo faced the two Lacreechee hunters.
“One step and I blast it,” Swift Shot promised.
Two Dogs just nodded. Red blood poured from the numerous arrow wounds in the turklyo’s neck. The animal didn’t move forward. It let out a painful honk, then slumped to the ground. It tried a single time to stand. After it fell again, it ceased moving. The two Lacreechee stared for several minutes. Each waited for the animal to lurch forward. Two Dogs couldn’t believe that a bull turklyo was killed by only two hunters.
“So what do we do now?” Two Dogs asked.
Swift Shot didn’t immediately answer, but she dismissed the fireball burning around her left hand.
“Why don’t you check its pulse?” Two Dogs suggested.
Swift Shot looked at him incredulously. “Why do I have to confirm it’s dead?”
“You killed it, didn’t you?”
“What? We both did.”
“Did we? It looks like every arrow you brought is sticking out of it.”
“Yeah, well, you set me up for those shots.”
“I mean, if you want to share the kill with me, I’ll take it. Mother Turklyo knows I need more adoration from the tribe.”
Swift Shot rolled her eyes. “We both did this.”
“Fair enough,” Two Dogs said. “But you did more. Therefore, you need to make sure it’s dead. Nobody’s going to believe the pair of us did this alone, especially if I end the story by saying ‘I checked to make sure.’”
“You do tend to exaggerate,” Swift Shot said.
“Exactly.”
Swift Shot looked at the sky and screamed. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
She walked hesitantly toward the turklyo.
It had been dead for at least ten minutes, but Two Dogs chuckled more than once at the slow pace Swift Shot took. Eventually, she reached the animal. She cautiously felt around its neck, then started ripping out arrows.
“He’s dead,” Swift Shot matter-of-factly stated. She smiled. “That wagon’s going to be really heavy now.”
“Damn it,” Two Dogs said.
It took Two Dogs forty minutes to retrieve the wagon they left at the start of their hunt. His igsidian could have made it easier for him, but the unexpected appearance of the first bull turklyo had him spooked. He completed his task as a normal man to ensure his stamina was high enough to fight the second beast that resided in his paranoia.
“What took so long?” Swift Shot asked.
“I was taking in the sights. We missed some beautiful nature as we chased the female,” Two Dogs answered.
“I’m sure that’s the reason.”
Now that Swift Shot was with him to provide area coverage, Two Dogs felt comfortable enough to use his igsidian to augment his strength. He hoisted the bull first, then the female turklyo. The wagon sagged from the combined weight, nearly a ton. Fortunately, Two Dogs could easily shift his magical focus to reinforce the integrity of the wagon. Next, he began the tedious process of hauling the wagon back to their camp.
It was mid-afternoon by the time the two hunters returned. It would have been faster if someone would ever agree with him to build a bridge across the Fraz River, but such was life. The children were the first to see them approach. They raced to meet Two Dogs and Swift Shot. As they saw what was inside the wagon, they squealed with delight. The older children raced ahead to be the first to tell the community of the amazing trophy the pair had.
“Mother Turklyo blessed Two Dogs and Swift Shot! They have a bull! They’re the greatest hunters ever!”
Two Dogs wore a radiant smile as he heard the adults chastise the children for exaggerating. Even Swift Shot let a snicker or two loose as adults confirmed what the children had already told them. It wasn’t long before other Lacreechee warriors took over for Two Dogs. Strong tribe members lifted the triumphant hunters onto their shoulders. Two Dogs’ father, Owl Talon, approached him with their chief, Bright Stone. Though in her sixties, Bright Stone was the most formidable woman Two Dogs had ever met. When many could only understand the intermediate spells from multiple schools, Bright Stone had mastered all types of magic. She was an army unto herself as the dozens of eagle feathers in her hair attested. Two Dogs felt his heart quicken as she approached with his proud father.
“For the people, Chief Bright Stone,” Two Dogs and Swift Shot said in unison.
“They rejoice,” Bright Stone responded to their greeting. “I had to see for my own eyes what the children praised.”
Two Dogs and Swift Shot stepped to the side as people pulled their wagon forward. Two Dogs felt immense satisfaction when he heard both Bright Stone and Owl Talon gasp at the pair of turklyos.
“The two of you did this alone?” Owl Talon asked.
“Yes, Father,” Two Dogs answered.
Owl Talon and Bright Stone shared a look of immeasurable respect.
“Cooks, prepare a feast! Tonight, we award these legendary warriors another eagle feather!” Bright Stone announced.
Two Dogs swallowed hard to keep from letting emotion overtake him. Swift Shot seemed to do the same. He had two eagle feathers already, but one was simply for being born. Earning one with his best friend made it more special than the previous two.
“It’s okay to cry . . . a little,” Owl Talon joked.
Bright Stone and the rest of the tribe shared a laugh as Two Dogs and Swift Shot both took Owl Talon up on his offer. The hunters wiped their tears as Bright Stone indicated she wanted them to follow her to her tipi.
Inside the tipi, Bright Stone gestured for Two Dogs and Swift Shot to take a seat on the plush furs lining her floor.
“Would you two care for some refreshments?” Bright Stone asked.
“No thank you,” Swift Shot said.
“Speak for yourself. You didn’t have to drag that wagon three miles with a pair of turklyos pressing down on it.”
Two Dogs greedily accepted the turklyo shell platter with fruit covered in honey. He selected a sour cherry dripping with sweetness. Two more rapidly followed the first. Two Dogs chewed obnoxiously as he announced his pleasure.
“Oh, that hits the spot,” he said.
“You always did love your sweets,” Bright Stone said.
Two Dogs grabbed a pear slice and slathered it in the errant honey lining the platter. This also went into his mouth with the minimal amount of chewing required not to choke.
“Why did you summon us, Chief Bright Stone?” Swift Shot asked as Two Dogs finished the last of the sour cherries.
“She wants to hear about the turklyo hunt, obviously,” Two Dogs said around a large bite of plum in his mouth.
“I would,” Bright Stone agreed, “but not now. We must speak of politics first.”
The serious nature of Bright Stone’s tone compelled Two Dogs to place his platter to the side.
“What do you need us to do?” he asked.
“I don’t need to tell the pair of you that turklyos are becoming scarcer because of the Corlains,” Bright Stone said.
This was a true statement. Two Dogs’ blood boiled at the mention of the Corlains. They took without concern for the people who had lived in these lands for centuries. Often, they didn’t even acknowledge the legitimate claims to the land. There were murmurs among the tribe to attack the Corlains. Two Dogs suspected they may be more than just the mutterings of the young men.
“Did you see any Corlains on your hunt?” Bright Stone asked.
Two Dogs remembered none. He looked at Swift Shot to confirm he hadn’t missed an obvious sign.
“No, Chief Bright Stone,” Swift Shot answered.
Bright Stone nodded and let a small sigh escape her lips.
“This is good news,” she said. “Mother Turklyo continues to bless us. The Azca people to our southeast were not as fortunate.”
This information shocked Two Dogs. Swift Shot also seemed surprised by the admission.
“What happened to the Azcas?” Two Dogs asked.
“When did it happen?” Swift Shot added.
“Word reached us just this morning, after you had left for your hunt,” Bright Stone answered.
“Are you telling us because we should expect to see them passing through our lands?” Two Dogs asked.
Bright Stone grimly shook her head. She seemed incapable of looking the young braves in their eyes.
“You misunderstand,” Bright Stone said. “They weren’t relocated like the tribes before them. They were eliminated. The sole messenger died in our camp. Strong Cure could do nothing for him.”
Two Dogs and Swift Shot also looked at the floor. Strong Cure was a powerful healer. If he couldn’t save the Azca warrior, then nobody could.
“The messenger claimed it was the Black Cloud that attacked them. All Corlains are evil, but this unit shames their ancestors with their barbarity,” Bright Stone said. “They defeated us in my youth.”
“What?” Two Dogs asked. He leaned forward.
Bright Stone sighed. “I’m sure it hasn’t gone unnoticed how much we move. When I was young, we raided the Corlains. We were too proud to back down. Owl Talon and many others aided me in defining our borders. It was foolish.”
Bright Stone wiped her eyes. Two Dogs and Swift Shot remained quiet as she cleared her voice.
“Soon after, half our tribe had perished, and I was the new chief. We forfeited our land to the Corlains. It led to our troubles with the Esquit tribe. I’m sure you remember them.”
Two Dogs instinctively rubbed the second eagle feather hanging from his hair.
“We can’t move again! The Corlains decimated the Azcas.” Bright Stone’s body shook with adrenaline. “They continue to spread influence over Glostaimia. Not even their own are spared,
I’m sure you remember the attacks in the swampland over a decade ago.”
Two Dogs vaguely remembered the pale people in the swamp suddenly ending trade when he was a teen. He brushed the thought aside.
“Did they steal the Azcas’ igsidian stones again?” Swift Shot asked in a meek voice.
Bright Stone slowly nodded. “As always, the Corlains claimed that which Mother Turklyo meant for her chosen children to possess. The Corlains can’t speak to the stones like we can, yet that doesn’t temper their greed.”
“What exactly do you need us to do?” Swift Shot asked.
“Anything,” Two Dogs added. “You need only ask.”
Bright Stone smiled. “I can always count on you two. After your feat today, you’ll be leaders among our community. I want you to use that popularity. You must convince the people that we must fight. Not just our tribe; the other tribes must join forces with us. The time of appeasing the Corlains is over. They only understand violence, so we’ll give it to them.”
Two Dogs filled with pride. He was a warrior before all other things. Fighting was what he was best at; it was his purpose. The Corlains didn’t scare him like they did so many of his neighbors. With Bright Stone’s blessing, he would raise a war party and ambush the Corlain patrols along the ugly roads they continued to build.
“What about Corla’s new leader?” Swift Shot asked. “Their own people can’t tolerate a leader for long. The infighting proves they’re sub-human, but could this one be the one to finally listen and leave our land and our igsidian alone?”
Two Dogs wanted to slap Swift Shot for asking such a cowardly question in Bright Stone’s presence. He loved his friend, but if she couldn’t grow some balls because of her gender, then she needed to grow a backbone instead. She had always been courageous on hunts, but warfare was something she seemed to want to avoid at all costs.
“It doesn’t matter who their leader is,” Two Dogs stated. “Chief Bright Stone has labeled them my enemy. They will die, with or without the aid of the other tribes.”
Augury Answered Page 3
