Pushed
From the Nest
As the songbirds began chirping their welcome to the rising sun, Kele
slowly opened her eyes. She hadn't been able to sleep for thinking what
would come to pass this day. For months she had been dreading it, hoping
some unforeseen event would prevent her from beginning her task. And yet,
as she rose from her sleeping mat and peeked out of the hut, she noticed
that the sky had NOT come crashing to the earth, no horrendous storm
ensued, and no rabid herd of bison stampeded through the village.
She sighed sorrowfully. It looked like it would be a beautiful day.
She began to dress, taking as much time as she could. She figured she
should just resign herself to her fate, and yet. Even now, tying up her
soft deerskin boots, Kele hoped for a sudden reprieve. Perhaps the lake
would rise, blocking her path, or. or. an avalanche! Yes, an avalanche
would keep the Southern mountains blocked for months. By that time, the
whole clan would be traveling again. The clan would realize how much they
would miss her, and... Kele shook her head, knowing it was pointless.
There was no way she would be able to stay with her clan. Not unless she
wanted to bring dishonor and shame to her family.
She folded up her blanket, stuffed it into the pack she'd prepared last
night, and then slung the pack across her shoulders.
She had said goodbye to her family the night before, as she knew she
wouldn't be able to before she left. It was customary that the remaining
family members stay in their hut the first day. She wasn't sure why
exactly, but guessed that it had something to do with the wanderer losing
their nerve, as Kele herself was at that very moment.
She took a deep breath and stepped out of the hut into the bright morning
sunlight. There was already activity within the clan. The few animals of
burden were being cared for, children were playing, and adults were
tending to chores. Several of them looked up at Kele and smiled as she
slowly passed. A few even shouted out encouragement to her. "Be safe on
your journey, young Sparrow Hawk." "Make sure you pick a strong one."
"Beyond the Southern mountains are many clans to choose from." She tried
to smile in return at each comment, but she didn't think her face was
obeying her thoughts. How could she smile when she was being forced to
leave?
As she walked towards the outer reaches of the village, she took a mental
inventory of what supplies she had packed, wondering if she had forgotten
anything. Blanket, darts, pemmican, dried fruit, wild turnips and
potatoes, a flask of water, wolf skin cloak, a small knife for skinning
game, beads, a bone needle, strips of doe hide with beaded scenes which
she could trade for food or shelter, when necessary. Kele frowned. She
felt like she was forgetting something.
Behind her she heard Shiri's shriek of protest. Kele quickly turned and
held up her arm for the hawk as he swooped down to land. She was horrified
to think that she could come so close to leaving without her best friend
by her side. "Forgive me, Shiri. I would never mean to leave you. I don't
know what I was thinking," she said, gently stroking his feathers.
She turned and took another long look at the members of her clan who were
out and about. Her eyes trailed over each figure, as if she were trying to
memorize every inch of them. Finally, her gaze settled on the drawn cloths
at the opening of her own hut. She knew she couldn't go running back to
her parents, and she couldn't stand here all day looking back.
Shifting the pack on her back, she forced her eyes away from her home and
turned toward the Southern mountains, the beginning of her journey. For a
while, she let her feet carry her forward without thinking. She was trying
desperately to forget about the task before her. She tried to forget that
she would be without her family for months, maybe even years.
She passed the lake where she had always gone to daydream and create new
tales. The fish were jumping from the waters, and the birds were circling
above, scanning for their meal. A heron was wading in the shallow waters
not twenty feet from where Kele walked. She paused to watch the beautiful
scene one last time. Who knew when she'd get another chance like this?
What if the land beyond the mountains was just a vast, barren wasteland
year-round? Would there be any green trees? Any wildlife? Would the other
clans be violent and bloodthirsty? Or friendly and peaceful? Would there
be...
Her thoughts were cut off by a voice behind her. "I thought you would come
here."
Shiri left his perch on her forearm and flew over to a nearby oak as Kele
spun around on her heel to face the newcomer. "Big brother?! What are
you-"
Antranig smiled, his indigo eyes twinkling with mischief. "I couldn't let
you leave without a farewell, little sister."
"But... won't you get in trouble? I thought you were to stay in the hut?"
He winked at her. "What no one knows will never hurt me, and Erianthe
won't tell my secret. Besides, it's an outdated custom. Why shouldn't I
see you off?"
Kele looked up into his face, her eyes shining with building tears.
"Because seeing you now makes me want to stay here even more."
"I know you don't want to leave, Kele, but it's for the best. Trust me. I
was forced out on the same quest, and I found Erianthe, my beloved wife."
"Yes, but..."
"No buts. I know you'll find a faithful mate," he said with a proud grin.
Then when he saw she still wasn't smiling, he changed his approach. He
wanted to give her a positive outlook to spur her on when she left,
something to cheer her when she was lonely. "Little Sparrow Hawk, when you
clear the mountains, follow the setting sun. After a journey through rough
terrain, you'll reach a lush countryside with large tribes and villages.
Don't fear anyone there," he said with a soft smile, noticing her look of
apprehension. "There are many kind people along the way. Just don't be
afraid to meet them!"
Kele grinned half-heartedly. Antranig knew her too well. Although that
still didn't help the queasy feeling in her stomach. "...I'll try."
"No, little sister," he reassured her. "You will meet people." She still
looked skeptical. I'm certainly not going to rush forward to meet any of
the Shoshone, the Snake People, she thought to herself. He laughed at the
doubting look on her face. "I found so many interesting people along the
way. That's what made my journey so enjoyable. Everyone beyond the
mountains is different. I learned so much about the other clans and tribes
of this earth. Sometimes I wish I could venture out there again," he
finished wistfully, more to himself than to Kele.
They both stood in silence for several moments, watching the quiet calm of
the lake. The heron that had been wading in the shallow waters now spread
its wings and took to flight, gliding gracefully over its own smooth
reflection. Finally Antranig cleared his throat and looked down at his
little sister. "You'd best be going soon. You have a long climb ahead of
you, and the sun is already starting to climb."
"Maybe you could walk with me to the foot of the mountains," Kele
suggested desperately, hoping to hang on to this moment.
"You know I can't. To go any further would only put more doubts in your
mind. Kele, you will survive this trip, just as others have. Besides," he
added, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead, "you aren't alone. You have
the faithful Shiri, and as long as you wear that feather in your hair, you
can remember me and know that I will always think of you, little sister."
Hearing that, Kele finally managed a genuine smile for Antranig. "No
matter what happens, I'll never forget you, big brother," she said,
throwing her arms around his neck in a fierce bear hug.
He merely smiled and returned the affection. "I'll hold you to that,
little Sparrow Hawk." They released their embrace as he cleared his throat
again. "Well. I expect to see you next time with a husband in tow," he
teased as he grinned at her.
"And I expect to find you with a son or daughter in your shadow." She
couldn't help but smile back at him.
"May your journey be safe." With that, he turned and headed back towards
the village. Kele watched him for a moment, her heart hurting, then turned
back in the direction of the mountains. From behind her, she heard his
voice once more. "Little sister!" he called, running up to her. "I almost
forgot." He reached into the pouch at his hip, pulled out a large leather
sack, and handed it to her. "For the long trip up the mountains. Don't eat
them all right away! When you travel along the paths of the rocky
pathways, you'll need something to sustain you. Wildlife is scarce up
there, and you never know when you'll run across another piece of game."
Curiously, Kele opened the sack and peered inside. Her eyes grew wide in
amazement and she looked up at the brother she idolized. "You found
strawberries!" she whispered incredulously. "And at this time of year.
Pilamaya, brother! I'll try to conserve them! I swear it!"
He smiled at her in amusement. It will last her only until this evening,
if that. He knew his sister wouldn't be able to restrain herself from
eating the sweet fruits that first day, but still. He hoped that would
cheer her some as she started out. "Toksha ake wacinyanktin ktelo, gentle
Sparrow Hawk. I shall see you again." With one final hug for his sibling,
Antranig set out for the village, this time never looking back.
And Kele, though still scared and nervous, set forth toward the Southern
mountains, which she would need to cross within the next few days. She
whistled shrilly and Shiri took to the air, circling above and following
as she set out.
By midday, the pair had arrived at the base of the mountains, and by the
arrival of dusk, they had made it at least halfway up the side.
Unfortunately, Kele thought as she prepared her blanket for the night, the
climb only gets steeper from this point on.
*
She stayed the night in one of the caves in the cliff-side and when
morning came, she quickly gathered her things and headed out again. She
knew her journey would only get more difficult now. For the next two days,
she did nothing but try to make her way to the top. She was able to catch
a small rabbit once, which lasted a good two days.
True to her word, Kele was trying very hard to ration out the
strawberries. Of course, she had finished off most of them that first day.
She only had about a dozen left, but she was using all her will power to
keep from eating them. She wanted to have some for when she crested the
mountain range.
Finally, after hiking and climbing her way up the side of the mountain for
almost three days, sometimes with Shiri perched on her arm, she reached
the peak a few hours before sunset of the third day. She turned to look at
the valley below her and felt tears sting her eyes as she looked out at
her homeland. There was the lake, and the lush green woods, and there, in
the center of a large clearing, was her clan. The whole village appeared
no larger than her thumb from this height, but she imagined that she saw
her family peering up at her from their huts. She smiled at the thought
and lifted her hand to touch the feather in her hair. "Toksha ake
wacinyanktin ktelo, my family." She called for Shiri and when he landed,
she gave him some of the rabbit meat that still remained. "Come my friend.
We should go. We need to find shelter before the darkness falls." With
that, she slowly began her descent down the other side of the mountain.
The trip down was much easier than up, although once or twice Kele felt a
tingle between her shoulder blades, indicating danger of some sort. She
found out later that there were falling rocks on this side of the peak,
but she was easily able to avoid them. After one rock fall, Shiri swooped
down to the rubble, picking among the boulders and gravel. When Kele got
closer, she saw what looked to be a bright stone of some sort in his
talons. She gave the whistle for him to return and he flew to her arm,
still clutching the stone. She opened her other hand and he dropped into
her palm. He began preening himself on his perch, very proud of his find.
The stone he brought to her was smooth and flat, with a milky white color
covered with fine grey lines. It almost reminded her of the way spider
webs were silhouetted against the moon. In the center of the stone seemed
to be a carving of some sort. As she studied it, she realized it almost
resembled a bird's wing. She grinned. "How appropriate," she said to
Shiri, who cocked his head to the side and called proudly, "Keeleeee." The
fact that surprised her most about the stone was that it felt pleasantly
warm in her hand. "It must have been sitting in the sun for hours to
gather so much warmth," she told her companion. Then Kele sighed. "But we
should continue on, my friend. We do not have time to study every rock we
find." With that, she tossed the rock a little ways from her. The falcon
quickly swooped from her arm to where she had tossed the rock. He picked
it up with his beak and then flew back to Kele again. He dropped it once
more into her palm. "You mean for me to keep it, do you friend?"
Shiri merely shifted his weight on her forearm and looked at her with his
shining black eyes. She sighed. "Well then, I suppose I should find
something to hang it from, yes?" She knew she had probably given in too
easily, but Shiri seemed determined not to let her throw it away. Besides,
maybe this beautiful stone was a good omen for her journey.
She removed the pack from her shoulders and went to digging around for the
rawhide cord she knew she had packed. When she found it, she tied it
carefully around the white rock, then around her neck. She turned to the
falcon watching her closely. "Are you pleased now?" she asked him. He just
flew to her shoulder in reply and pecked at her ear affectionately. They
continued down the mountain and reached the bottom before the end of the
day. Kele glanced out at the countryside before her and felt her heart
quiver. The land appeared almost dead. There were very few trees or
bushes, the only ones visible being small and sickly looking. There
appeared to be no wildlife around. At least not that she could see. She
looked to the west, the direction her brother had told her to travel, and
saw only an endless nothingness. She prepared her blanket for the night,
determined not to leave the safety of the mountain until the next day. She
would need her strength for the walk across miles of barren land. She
hoped briefly that she had enough supplies to last the trip.
She worked on beading some more designs until the sun went down at which
point she pulled out her wolf skin cloak and prepared for sleep. "It's so
much colder at night here."
As she was drifting off to sleep, she heard Shiri give a soft final
"keelee" before he settled in for the night. If anything were to happen to
me, would Shiri know to fly back to wooded area and live? Would he know to
leave me? She clutched at the stone around her neck and as sleep finally
overcame her, hoped that it was indeed a good omen, and not a charmed
object to curse her quest.
*
The night's blanket of stars covered the endless expanse of the sky,
defeating the final rays of the sun as it dipped beyond the horizon,
adding darkness to the comforting stars. There was little to see, light
was a needless extravagance, for the terrain was rough and death-like,
covered by stones and small shrubs that had evolved to survive the harsh
habitat. Yet, where countless people refused to step a foot, there existed
a tribe of people who not only survived, but flourished on the unforgiving
plains of stone. She knew that, and knew that the tribe was strong for it.
Her tribe.
Kelley, Yinor of the Kaeltaifa, surveyed her people with deep green eyes
as they celebrated, giving praise to her knowledge and power, and praying
to the gods for her safety in her upcoming journey. Her eyes closed,
making part of her face an impressive grey mask from the traditional
markings painted on it. Her mind was on the journey that she was to begin
in the next few daily cycles; as Yinor, it was her task to keep her tribe
strong, so she was planning to travel to a variety of nearby clans to make
alliances and trade deals to strengthen her people. Inside her dwelling
sat a triad of leather packs, filled with her supplies as well as some
stone beading, leather pieces worked by craftsmen, and a variety of other
items that the clan was capable of producing that she could display to
prove the worth of her people.
A silence fell over the celebration as the members of the clan noticed
their silent priestess. Once the last drum beat faded, Kel reopened her
eyes and stood up, taking up the sacred sword, Pellodino, with her.
"Resume," she said, her voice carrying through the air clearly, heard by
all present. The response was immediate as her people returned to their
celebration, bringing forward dancers and instruments in prelude to a
ceremonial dance to praise the gods. While she felt immeasurable pride for
her people, Kel needed a moment to herself before she left. Thus, she wove
her way through her gathered people, blessing some of the younger children
and nodding to various hunters, making her way to the village outskirts,
where she picked out the hidden sentries, having made their placements
herself. Nodding to her dedicated hunters, she set out across the
darkness, holding only a single torch that she had picked up beside the
last fire of the village. She did not need the light, having been raised
around the rocks and shrubs; she knew every crack and cranny and could
navigate in full darkness. The torch was more for the two hunters she knew
would track her to assure her safety, despite her not needing protection.
She was the most skilled fighter in her tribe, largely undefeated, so an
enemy who planned to destroy her would have his hands full just fending
her off.
Shaking her head, she turned her thoughts to the wind, letting random
ideas touch her mind as easily as the soft breeze touched her skin.
Another journey begins for my people. She spoke it silently, conferring
with her mental self. I will not fail in bringing them glory. Picking her
way through the path between larger rocks, she gripped Pellodino tightly
in her hand, preferring the feel of the limestone sword in her hand than
in the scabbard on her back. She spoke a silent prayer to the gods, asking
for guidance in her journeys, or an omen to show her the true path should
she become confused.
An hour passed as she walked, her torch still burning, though much shorter
than it was before, the stone sword still in her firm grasp as she prayed
for an omen. Then, quite suddenly, she found it, almost by accident. Her
green eyes had strayed to the side, on a large black boulder beside her
chosen path, a boulder that had been split down the center, its middle
displayed to the outside world. She frowned, wondering what power could
fragment the dark stone so easily, and leaned in for a look. Her reward
was a small disk of white limestone, sitting at the very base of the
split, shining in the faint torchlight. Putting Pellodino at home in its
sheath, she reached a tanned hand into the split, picking up the smooth
disk, turning it over as she inspected it.
Radiating a faint warmth, it had an unearthly feel about it, and one that
convinced her that her prayer for an omen had been answered, in the form
of the disk. She praised the gods with a prayer of joy, holding the disk
to her chest so that its warmth would pass to her body and soul, giving
her the slight essence of the gods encased in it. The gods are always
present to answer our prayers. Her mental statement was founded by her
undying belief in her religion, for she knew that humans would not exist
without the higher powers to guide them. High powers other than those
accursed creatures on the floating city, those creatures were not worth
her time, or the gods for that matter. It was of her mind that they should
be banished to the thousand hells and left to burn for eternity.
Meanwhile, she banished the thought of the evil ones from her mind as she
continued her walk, her hand still clasped firmly around the disk. Her
village was close enough to the eastern edge of the plains, so it was her
approximation that she would run out of rock soon, which meant she would
have to return. But, her thoughts were clear and the omen had better
prepared her for the journey she would take.
Prepared the turn and go back to the festivities, Kel paused as her
torchlight passed over twin forms lying on the ground. Curious, she peered
at the forms, discerning one to be human the other to be an animal of some
sort. Invaders? Her silent question was of some importance, considering
that a possible war was the last thing she needed for her people. No,
there would be an awake sentry, and a scout would not sleep so openly. So,
what is it? She moved closer, the torch illuminating the few possessions
the person, a young woman seemed to carry, and showing fully the animal, a
bird. Curious, what is a single person doing alone on the edge of
Kaeltaifa lands? Her eyes caught a stone disk in the girl's sleeping hand,
similar in style to the disk she had received from the gods. Perhaps the
gods have sent her, since she possesses one as well. Perhaps she carries a
message. As she looked on, the bird began to stir in its sleep.
Shiri knew it wasn't supposed to be morning yet, but there was light
coming from somewhere, disturbing his sleep. The bird opened his eyes and
saw his human friend still asleep under her cloak and blanket, and beyond
that. He let out a fierce shriek when he saw the stranger with the torch.
Kele quickly opened her eyes to the ruckus. She was momentarily blinded by
the blazing torch, but tried desperately to focus on her companion. She
raised her arm, hoping he would see it and fly to her.
She was rewarded with his talons wrapped around her forearm as he shifted
his weight from side to side and continued with his piercing shrieks.
"Shiri, be calm!" she whispered, trying to soothe him. Only then did she
notice this stranger before her.
The torchbearer was a girl who couldn't be too much older than Kele
herself. She wore odd attire, and had a huge sword at her side. But the
most striking feature about her, to Kele, was that half of her face was
covered in darkness. Could this be one of those bandits I've heard about?
she wondered. She looked around to see if any of her belongings were gone,
but everything was in arm's reach, just as she'd left it.
Shiri was beginning to calm down, finally, now that his protector was
aware of the situation. Now he only shifted his weight agitatedly and
ruffled his feathers, trying to appear menacing. Kele felt a tingle
between her shoulder blades, but when she glanced around to locate the
danger, she saw nothing. The girl before her just stood there, watching
her movements. The sword remained at her side, sheathed. So far, she
didn't pose much of a threat, and there didn't appear to be any falling
rocks in this area. Kele began to wonder if her gift was beginning to fail
her. Everywhere she looked, there was only darkness. Nothing to indicate
any sort of hazard to either girl.
Tentatively, she turned her attention back to the dark faced girl and
wondered if she could hear her heart pounding in her chest. "Greetings. I.
I am a stranger to this land." Unfortunately, that was as far as got. From
behind the shadow-faced girl she saw the darker shadows of two grown men
in the distance, both carrying bows already fitted with arrows. She saw
one point towards the girl, and they raised the weapons, pulling the
strings taut. Kele had no qualms with anyone in this new land. She hadn't
even been here longer than a day. No one could have possibly known she was
here. Besides, what could she have done that could warrant being hunted?
Thinking this over, she could only assume the two men were after the
torch-carrying girl. She had done nothing to Kele and Shiri except
frighten them, so Kele couldn't justify seeing her shot in the back. And
maybe, just maybe... Kele's mind attempted to wander into another story,
but she quickly pulled it back to the situation, knowing she should do
something.
Kele quickly tensed the muscles in her forearm, causing Shiri to take
flight once again. "Look out!" she yelled as she launched herself at the
stranger and pushed her behind a large outcropping of rocks. The torch was
dropped and the land went dark again. She landed hard on her side and
quickly crawled behind the rock with the shadow-faced girl. She couldn't
see anything, but she took comfort in the fact that the men wouldn't be
able to locate them. She turned her head to where she had last seen the
girl and whispered, "Two men are following you with bows. You should run
while you can."
Being tackled, losing her torch, and falling down on the hard ground both
caught Kelley by surprise, as well as it caused a curse of all hells to be
uttered as she struck the ground, roughly landing behind a boulder.
Blinking in an attempt to adjust to the darkness, she caught the girl's
spoken warning. Had there been enough light, Kele would have seen the
priestess' features darken in irritation of the misunderstanding.
"Yinor!"
She sighed in relief as the voice of one of her hunting protectors called
out for her. "Here," she called, getting into a crouch. When she attempted
to stand, the girl caught her arm. Looking down at the girl, Kel caught
her confused look. "They are not hunting me," she said, her tone short and
to the point. "They are here to protect me." She pulled her arms free and
stood, the pale moonlight providing her night trained hunters the light
they needed to recognize their priestess.
"Are you hurt?" the first asked in concern as the second trained an arrow
on the boulder where Kele was hiding.
Shaking her head, Kel stepped around it and walked to her hunters. "Just
surprised," she replied. "The foreigner's actions merely seemed unlikely,
so when she completed them, she caught me by surprise." As she conversed
with the first protector, the second carefully went around the boulder in
search of her 'attacker'. "No, don't hurt her." Kel turned, holding up her
hand. "She was equally frightened, I believe."
"Of course, Yinor," the first said, bowing his head respectfully. "All
those not of Kaeltaifa should properly fear our guardian and leader."
She smiled, green eyes sparkling with pleasure for his response. "Indeed,"
she said, glancing at him. Her attention turned forward once more. "Do not
be fearful," she said. "They will not harm you, nor will I."
Kele peeked cautiously over the top of the boulder when she heard the girl
call out to her. After a moment of straining her eyes in the darkness, she
was finally able to make out the three figures with what moonlight was
provided. In the distance was the girl, standing with one of the men,
talking amiably. And only a few feet away stood the second hunter, his bow
lowered, but the muscles in his arms still tensed as he watched her
warily. She ducked back down a ways when she saw his suspicious glare in
her direction.
High overhead she could hear the gentle flap of Shiri's wings. She quietly
thanked the gods for his safety and prayed he would stay above them all.
She was relieved that he seemed to have enough sense to stay out of reach
until some sort of understanding was reached.
She glanced out at the three silhouettes again, and wondered what she'd
done to get into so much trouble. Barely a week away from her clan and
already she was being attacked. Had she done something to anger the gods?
Was that why her journey had suddenly gone wrong?
She tentatively cleared her throat and poked her entire head over the top
of the rock. "Uhm. I meant no harm to anyone. I... I'm only passing
through this land." She paused a moment and then called out plaintively to
Kel's guard, "And just why did you have your weapons out, anyway?"
The man standing next to Kel straightened his spine and said in a clear,
loud voice "We are the protectors of the Kaeltaifa's Yinor. We heard a
scream from this direction and came to investigate." He turned back to his
priestess and bowed slightly.
'A scream?' thought Kele. She didn't remember either herself or the other
girl ever screaming. Then it hit her. Shiri. Her knees felt weak and she
nearly laughed out loud with relief. So perhaps she wasn't in trouble
after all?
She saw the shadow faced girl give a slightly irritated look to her men as
she, too, realized what must have happened.
Kele couldn't seem to stop smiling, and she knew she must be blushing as
red as any ripe strawberry. "No one screamed, friends." She was barely
able to speak without giggling. "That was just my companion," she finally
managed to say, pointing to the starry sky. She gave a shrill whistle and
Shiri swooped down, landing gently on her forearm. The sudden movement
startled the man closest to her, making him hastily raise his bow. But
when he saw that it was only a bird, he again relaxed, looking somewhat
embarrassed. Kele heard him mumble something about jumping at shadows. Why
should he be afraid of a mere bird? "My friend here was just upset by
being woken early," she said, grinning at the falcon on her arm.
With the tension mostly gone and all attention suddenly on him, Shiri
ruffled his feathers prettily, pretending to be extremely disgruntled.
Kele recognized this trick immediately and just rolled her eyes at him.
"Oh, quit showing off your feathers, little one," she said quietly to him,
tapping his beak affectionately. He looked up innocently at her with his
sparkling black eyes. Keeleee? he asked her, as if to say, "Who, me?" But
he let his plumes settle against his body once more and even managed to
give the strangers a look of distaste before he perched himself on her
shoulder and watched silently. Kele then looked back at the others, still
smiling broadly.
The girl she had been talking to earlier finally spoke up again. "Come
here."
Kele faltered a moment. She felt very safe right where she was--- behind a
huge boulder, mostly hidden from view. And although the girl herself
hadn't shown any hostility towards her, she wondered about the two guards.
What should I do? If only Antranig were here. He'd know. She tossed the
options back and forth and finally decided to go ahead and trust them. She
hesitantly stepped out from behind the boulder and made her way up to the
girl, hoping she'd made the right decision.
Tanned hands placed firmly on her hips, Kel looked the girl over firmly,
trying to place the clothing and adornments to a clan she knew, yet she
found herself blank in the mind when no answer came. At the immediate
moment, however, little about the girls heritage mattered; as an outsider
caught on Kaeltaifa lands without previously attained permission, the girl
had to be judged. Kel pulled Pellodino from its sheath and held it at an
angle to the gorund, breathing slowly as she considered the girl. She had
to be judged, and Kelley was the one to do it.
For a percieved attack on the Yinor of the clan, tradition demanded death
or physical mutilation in payment for the indignity, yet with the new laws
she herself had placed, she was required to give the girl a sufficient
chance to defend herself. Tradition and laws were always to be followed,
so Kel let the point of Pellodino touch the ground. "Explain your presence
on my and my peoples' lands," she demanded.
Kele suddenly had a sinking feeling in her stomach. Her eyes went wide as
she looked at the very sharp edge of the blade. What little courage she
had felt a moment before was now all but gone. "I meant no harm to
anyone," she said again, in little more than a whisper. "I was merely
passing through this land... I'm.. on a quest."
She looked again at the sharp sword and KNEW she'd done something to
offend the gods. That HAD to be why everything had suddenly gone all
wrong.
Forgotten until the moment that the girl had uttered the word quest, the
medallion of limestone in Kel's hand reminded the priestess of its
prescence, cooling suddenly in the night air. She looked at it, thoughts
of the omen running through her head as a grassfire did across dry grass
plains. The gods clearly wanted her to give the girl a chance, but with
her hunters present, Kelley needed something more substantial than a piece
of stone to let the girl remain on her lands. "Explain the nature of your
quest."
The small grey haired girl suddenly blushed, looking most embarassed. "I
was sent to..." She ducked her head again when she felt tears stinging her
eyes. Could this possibly be any more humiliating? True, it was a common
occurance in her tribe, but what would these outsiders think? Surely it
wouldn't be important enough to keep her alive. She only wished she could
have seen her family again.
She sighed and raised her head again. "I have to find a husband. That is
my quest. And I cannot return home until we're wed." She slowly sank to
the ground, knowing the sword would soon be taking her life. She pulled
her knees up to her chest and closed her eyes, waiting for the final
strike.
x
