The Last Sundancer (26 page)

Denoa made certain that they were alone and not within hearing of th
e others before she responded.

“I trust Kaichen’s judgment, yet it would have helped solidify his place within our village if he would have chosen a wife from amongst the young women that I selected.” Denoa’s mouth twisted in bitter disappointment as Mad
ra linked their arms together.

“Your son did not deny that he
is the last hope of our people.” Madra hoped to offer Denoa encouragement with her words.

“K
aichen would not shame me in front of our people.  You do not think that he would do such a thing, do you? I could not bear it!” Denoa’s wide eyes sought reassurance from her friend but Madra simply shook her head.

“Who can say?  He is like his father and
his father was unmovable, no matter who pushed or prodded.” Madra immediately regretted her words. 

The sorrow in Denoa’s eyes cut to the heart and she squeezed her friend’s hand in silent apology.

“It is only that Kaichen is the image of his father and he stands as his brother would have stood before me.  It is almost more than a woman that was once a wife and mother can endure.” Denoa’s voice shook with suppressed emotion as she spoke of Shale and Siada. 

“Denoa, if you must cry, then cry.  There is no shame in a woman’s tears.  In truth, you might find a reprieve from the many sorrows that plague you.  We are a village without a leader, we are a people that cling to a fading hope.  Our crops continue to fail in a land that thirsts for water, yet our village floods season after season.    How can one man stop or bring the rain?  Your expectations for Kaichen are too high.” Madra tried to reason with her friend. 

Denoa carried the weight of their entire village though she was not given the respect that was her due.  They were a village of men, women and children that relied upon the land to ensure their very existence.  Without food, they would perish. 

“Do not say such a thing.  Kaichen must live up to the legend that his father created with his dance of power.  Shale brought the rain and
freedom for our people.  Kaichen must become what is needed for the survival of our village.  This is the way of the Sundancer.  He is the only hope for our people.  It must be just so.” Denoa’s face was full of anguish and she gasped for breath, clutching her chest with both hands.  “I did not cling to survival and suffer the loss of so much, just to see it all turn to dust in my hands.  The children of our village will walk upon this land and find sustenance here and their children as well.  It must be so.”

Madra did not speak again, for there was nothing to say.  Denoa’s will was strong and she only hoped that Kaichen
would succeed in his efforts to help them.  If not, then all hope would certainly be lost.

“Woman, blessed amongst all.” Denoa’s smile was welcoming as she looked upon the woman that Kaichen had claimed as his to protect.  

Amara was startled to find another person so close at hand.  They were to leave on their journey soon and she had sought a quiet moment away from prying eyes.  

The desire to be alone had been great within her and she hoped to claim a few moments for herself.  Rising early, she easily found the stream which the
villagers used to feed their crops.  The banks of the river were flooded and Amara stopped walking before she reached the water’s edge. 

She knew the voice of the woman who called out to her and still she hesitated to turn and face her.

She inclined her head respectfully as Kaichen’s mother examined her from head to toe.  Amara knew what Denoa saw.  She saw a young woman with a face that was more than pleasing, but with clothes that were worn thin and frayed.  Amara did her best to wash and clean her garments and she was proud that her skin fairly squeaked with cleanliness due to her efforts. 

“So you are the woman that Kaichen has chosen
as his mate.  You are the reason that he has rejected the young women that are the daughters of my band.” Denoa’s voice was a soft murmur, capturing Amara’s full attention. 

Her tone was not accusing, nor was it co
ndemning.  Amara did not know what to say in reply to Denoa’s words and so she stood silently, respectfully.  The other woman laughed, a rich, throaty sound that danced upon the air. 

“I heard the sound of your flute
. Most of our band heard the melody that you bring to life with your hands and lips. My people see it as a good omen.  They believe that you will be a fitting mate for Kaichen.” Denoa stepped closer to Amara and she was surprised to see the strength of will present in the young woman’s eyes.

I have no claim upon Kaichen.
It is he that has claimed me.
  Amara wanted to respond to Denoa’s words, but she withheld her private thoughts. 

Denoa made her feel
like an unwelcome intruder but there was also a hidden vulnerability within the woman’s eyes that softened Amara’s heart.  “Kaichen does not believe that he is the one that you seek.”

Denoa’s mouth twisted over these last words and Amara wished that she could call them back. 
There was an undeniable source of rock hard strength within Kaichen’s mother. Amara recognized the thread of strength as that which also belonged to Kaichen.  

“I do not know how to reach Kaichen. It is obvious that he
despises me and will not hear anything that I have to say. But you….he does not hate you.  .  Has he told you about the raiders that preyed upon our village during the last harvest?” Denoa did not expect an answer to her question simply because Amara turned her head to the side and away, silently indicating that she would not say anything further. 

“You do not have to betray his confidence, but know this, Kaichen must
learn to believe that which he denies.  His father was special and Kaichen is the same.  He cannot change who he is anymore than a fish can shed its scales and become a bird of the sky.  Some men are especially blessed, they walk with power and they do not even know it.” Denoa’s eyes were dark orbs wreathed by sadness, but her gaze also held hope.  

“I must go.” Amara knew that her words did not give the woman the assurance that she sought, but she would not be forced to take sides against Kaichen.

“You seek to protect my son and that is good.  But perhaps you should consider that I seek to protect all those that rely upon my judgment and wisdom.  If you had remained behind today, you would have come under my protection just like any of the daughters of our band.” Denoa’s winsome smile wrenched Amara’s heart.  “My son has chosen made a fine choice for his mate.  Have a safe journey.  Return safely.”

“Thank you.” Amara found that she had placed her hand over her heart as she thanked Kaichen’s mother for the compliment. 

She inclined her head slightly in respect before she hurried away.  Her conversation with Denoa weighed heavily upon her mind with each footstep that she took.  She threw one glance over her shoulder and the image of Denoa standing above the flowing water was etched into her mind forever. 

Amara mentally shook herself.  Kaichen and Antuk were waiting and they had a far distance to travel before the heat of the sun was hard upon them.  Amara did not wish to be the cause for their delay.

The first rays of morning light stirred the land to a state of wakefulness.  Soon the shining light of a blindingly brilliant sun would be upon them.  Kaichen glanced back to see that Amara waited in the place that he had taken her to.  Antuk would remain with her. 

Kaichen knew that he could have trusted his mother to ensure Amara’s safety.  He could have left her behind and rested sure in the knowledge that she would be there to greet him when he returned. 

The thought of a raid upon his village by a marauding band of warriors during his absence did not sit well with him.  Amara would be left defenseless without his protection. 

His mother had found a way to hide the women and children each time that a raid had taken place, but he could not simply hope that Amara would be protected like one of their own.  He had taken it upon himself to save her life and he would not simply hand over that responsibility now that he had returned to his people. 

Kaichen’s footsteps found firm ground as he walked farther and farther away from Amara and Antuk.  His friend would watch over the delicate woman at his side
, Kaichen was certain.  Day by day, Antuk had become increasingly protective of Amara, even as she learned to care for herself as they traveled together. 

Kaichen felt his lips twitch in
silent admiration.  He had very little to laugh about, but Amara’s courageous spirit brought a smile to his lips. 

His thoughts returned to Antuk.  His friend had not spoken a word since the previous evening.  Kaichen did not know what to make of his friend’s strange mood.  Antuk was simply the person that he was. 

Antuk could not be measured or expected to act in a familiar way.  His moods were ever changing, though he almost always returned to a happy, agreeable companion.  His wide smile was at odds with the imposing bulk of his body and the deft fingers that drew arrow to bow with deathly precision.  

Antuk was unpredictable and yet this was what drew Kaichen to rely upon his friendship.  Antuk’s loyalty was constant, never changing and it would never fade, of this Kaichen was certain

He walked without the weight of any of his weapons.  He knew that the other bands were made up of men that had once befriended his father. 

If it was as his mother said and the other bands had no desire to remember
the past, then what motivation was there for them to help his mother’s people?  Kaichen did not have an answer. 

Kaichen knew the taste and feel of the land that he walked over, it was as familiar as breathing.  The land was a part of him and the dust was as his flesh, the trees that dotted the land were like the limbs of his own body.   Yet, this very land was the cause of suffering amongst the various bands and surrounding villages.  

He remembered Amara’s impassioned plea of the previous night.  She wanted him to he tell his people about the threat of the raiders.  Kaichen would not consider it. 

His mother had told him of the suffering caused by the raids that took place during the last harvest.  How much more could his people endure and survive?  They needed warriors. They need
ed strong men that knew how to fight. 

Kaichen could stand up and fight for them, but one man was not enough.  Even a man as skilled as he was could not hold off a horde of warriors bent on stealing and creating mayhem.  If the raiders had grown in might and the thirst for blood was strong within them, nothing would stop their attack.

Kaichen knew that the ground that he walked upon was a living, breathing entity.  He could almost feel the heart tones of the land. 

“We are simply children, unfit to receive such a precious gift.” Kaichen murmured the words softly and he was surprised to hear his own voice speak out in the silence. 

He only wished that he knew whether his words were a prayer, an invocation or a benediction. 

Kaichen looked into the distance and saw the familiar spires and buttes that marked the place where the nearby bands dwelled.  He took a sip of water from the waterskin given to him by Amara. 

She had taken it upon herself to rise early and walk to the river to fill their waterskins.  He remembered her eager gaze as it rested upon him.  Her eyes sparkled with the hope that he would remember his promise.  He had vowed to take her with him and he could see that she was not eager to remain amongst his people.  

Kaichen understood Amara’s unease, but a part of him wished that it was not so.  She did not know his people the way that he did.  They were frightened, just as they should be and they were wary of strangers.  Kaichen saw that Amara’s eyes had not been filled with judgment when she met the people of his village for the first time.  He had seen a sparkle of hope before his mother had spoken, dousing the light from Amara’s eyes by her words alone.  

Kaichen could remember that he wanted to stop and turn to Amara, it was foolish but he wanted to reassure her that all would be well.  When had her feelings become so important to him and when had he noticed the light in her eyes? 

He could not say with certainty, but he knew that his regard for her had deepened.  From the moment that she stepped forward in an effort to save his life, Kaichen had laid a claim upon her.  He did not speak of it and he tried to deny it, but it was there nonetheless.  How long would he be able to deny it? 

A scowl twisted his features and suddenly Kaichen realized that he was no longer alone.
He could feel the stare of eyes upon him as they watched him from all sides.

“I am Kaichen, son of Shale.
” Kaichen’s voice rang out in the silence and still he saw nothing but rock and shadow.  

He had knowingly walked into an
area that was perfect for an ambush.  It was the same as handing a weapon to an enemy and waiting silently for that one to finish off the deed.  Yet, he had no other choice.