The New World (The Last Delar) (22 page)

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"The Enopay are celebrating another successful hunt.  You have returned on a clear and joyous night." Mia Koda points into the distance, "Your former Gahano approaches."

Akelou sees the outlines of Alo and his horse Akima approaching.  Stomping the ground and whinnying loudly, Akima can sense his master.  His markings begin to flutter with excitement.

"Go to him, Akima." says Alo as he releases the horse.

Akima races to Akelou and licks his face, nipping at his ears when they meet.

"Good boy, I have missed you . . . I have missed your smell," says Akelou with tears in his eyes.

Akima bows his head and knee.  Akelou mounts his friend, patting his neck. He looks down at Alo, "thank you, Alo, for watching over Akima.  I am grateful."

"There is no need for thanks, Taeau." Alo grabs Akelou by his calf and looks up at him.  "You left me as a child and have come back a man."

"My name is no longer 'Taeau.' I left that name in the jungle.  I am Akelou now," he says proudly.

Alo bows to Akelou, "I think it is time for you to join the Enopay."

Mounting their horses, Alo and Mia-Koda ride with Akelou back to the Msa-Oda.  They travel up the Trail of Silent Steps and come to the gate of the city.  A watchman yells out from atop the gate.  "Who do you bring into our city, Alo?"

"I bring Mia-Koda and the Wicker Tib from the Black Forest.  As for the other you speak of, he is now one of us." The guard looks down and sees Akelou on his horse.

"Taeau has returned, open the gate," shouts the watchman.

They dismount their horses and walk through the gate and slowly move through the empty city. Mia-Koda takes the lead and approaches the Pueblo Oda first. Akelou looks up at the hut of the moon in wonder. It is finely carved and circle in shape. There are makings covering the outer walls telling stories of past migrations. The roof is made from dried mud and grass but Akelou cannot see any door that leads into the hut.

"Now that you are a true Enopay, you may enter the Pueblo Oda.  This is our most sacred place, and you must respect and understand what you enter." Alo points to the roughly dug holes on the ground.

"Crawl through this hole to enter the hut of our mother moon.  You must pass through her womb and be reborn inside.  Akelou watches as Alo and Mia-Koda crawl into two of the many other holes on the floor.  Akelou and Tib stand outside staring at each other.

"I am nervous to see everyone one again, Tib.  I left on a great day, and I hope they have not forgotten me . . . especially her." Tib smiles up at Akelou and pats his leg before walking away.

Akelou takes a deep breath and crawls into the hole.  The tunnel is small, and he struggles to pass through it.  In the tunnel everything is dark, and the celebration inside is muffled.  Seeing the end of the tunnel, Akelou crawls toward the covered opening.  He falls head first into the hut and into a puddle of wet clay.  He gets up and wipes off some of the mud.  The hut is heated by a small fire filled with a large pile of red hot stones in the center of the floor. The only opening is a small moon hole in the ceiling.  Rows of Enopay are sitting in circles on the floor. Older men and important warriors are sitting on raised shelves on the walls of the hut.  Akelou, not wanting to show his nervousness, walks proudly into the center of the room. Standing next to the Chief Alo raises his hands. 

"It has been a full season since the child Taeau left us in search of his vision.  He was alone in the wild and without help.  Now, having found his vision, he enters this hut as a true Enopay."

The Chief stands, "How do we know that the outsider has found a vision worthy of the Enopay people?"

Akelou looks around, seeing the people nodding their heads in agreement, and understands what he must do.  He raises his arms, letting everyone see the lines carved into his skin.  His necklace burns against his chest, and his heart pounds.  The Enopay gasp as golden flames rise from Akelou' s tattoos and take shape around him.  The golden wings and feathers illuminate the hut.  Some of the women scream in fear and run to their mates.  The Chief watches the silhouette of a Wa-Hone form around Akelou's face. He looks at Alo. He was not expecting such a showing of power. He begins to fill with thoughts of paranoia. Will a man with such power take his place? Could anyone stop him if he tries? Alo sees the look in the Chiefs face and puts his hand on his shoulder.

“Fear not. He means our people no harm. I am sure of this.”

The Chief looks at Alo and is not convinced. Akelou opens his mouth and screeches the call of the Wa-Hone.  The screeching shakes the hut, bellowing out the moon hole and echoing across the valley.  Akelou falls to his knees gasping for breath as the light fades.  The Enopay are amazed and look to the Chief.

The Chief rises from his seat. He knows his people need him to look strong. He must be a leader he can show no weakness. "Your Enopay name from this day forth will be Screaming Eagle."

The hut explodes into yells.  All of the Enopay welcome Akelou into the tribe.  Akelou sits down between Alo and Mia-Koda, watching the men and women dance around the glowing rocks.  He eats Ga-Taga meat and drinks wheat beer.  Many of the Enopay come over to Akelou and talk to him about his journeys and tell him about what has happened in his absence.  Akelou basks in the acceptance of his people.  He sits with a smile on his face and great happiness in his heart.

"Are you only going to sit, drink, and talk all night with the lonely men, Screaming Eagle?"

Akelou looks up to see a face he has thought of many times since he has been gone.  She is wearing her ceremonial dress, the one she wore the night he left for the jungle.  "Good to see you again, Leotie," he says, wiping Ga-Taga meat from his face. “How is your foot? Is it--”

She grabs his hand, "Will you dance with me?" she asks draging him down to the dance floor.

While she tugs him along, he begins to panic. He realizes he has never danced before.  Akelou nervously watches the others, while Leotie leads him to the hot stones.  Most of the Enopay are dressed in ceremonial costumes.  Beating drums and women's singing lead the dancers in a primal, chaotic rhythm.  As the pair starts to dance, the heat and scent of those around Akelou ease his mind, and his body takes control.  He stays close to Leotie, and they dance as hard as anyone losing themselves to the night, intoxicated by the celebration.

The night gives way to morning, and many of the Enopay have left to sleep off their full bellies and tired legs.  Akelou and Leotie sit very close to one another, whispering quietly into each other's ears.  Enopay lie scattered on the floor, sleeping from too much celebrating.  Something catches Akelou' s attention as he looks up through the opening in the ceiling.  He is tired and a little drunk, but his vision is true.  Leotie puts her head in his lap, and Akelou runs his fingers through her long silky hair and she starts to fall asleep.

"What are you looking at?"

"I don't know.  I thought I saw something up above the hut."

"It is probably a bird, silly, maybe a raptor searching for desert snakes and mice." His eyes grow heavy and he dips in and out of sleep.

"Alo!" yells Mia-Koda, pointing at the opening in the ceiling.  Akelou wakes and sees a very large bird staring into the hut.

"It is a crane from the swamps of Noshota, a messenger of the Pokwa," says Mia-Koda.

"The long-legs that live to the south?" asks the Chief.  Mia-Koda raises her hand, and the bird flies down toward her.  Everyone gets to their feet and stares at the bird.  It is a grey bird with a long neck, a narrow pointed beak, and legs that look like fragile twigs.  The bird's underbelly is the purest of white, while dark feathers circle its eyes and back.  Around its neck hangs a scroll wrapped in some kind of leaf.

"It is a message from Theopa, King of the Pokwa.  Someone bring water," Mia-Koda says.  She stands under the moonlight that shines in from the moon hole.  She opens the scroll.  "There is no writing on the scroll, Mia-Koda," says the Chief.

"The script has been written with a reed dipped in the swamp mud where night mushrooms grow.  Only under water that reflects moonlight will the writing become visible.  The writing will not last long, for the mud will slowly wash away, hiding its message," says Mia-Koda and she pours water over the scroll.

Chief of the Enopay, old friend of the Pokwa,

A beast from an ancient time came to our swamps under the banner of the false King.  He demanded our loyalty and dominion over our lands.  When I refused, he slipped into my house under the cover of night and kidnapped my daughter.

He has taken her to the tower of Ogdah at the edge of the Whispering Canyons, before the Great Lake.  My Pokwa warriors cannot pursue her kidnappers to these lands.

I, Theopa, leader of the Pokwa, plead for your help in her rescue.  We will need you most skilled warriors if we are to reclaim my daughter.  I await your reply with great hope and humility."

"We must go to their aid," says Alo, looking up at his chief.

"Why should I risk the lives of our men for some slippery long-leg in the distant swamps?" says the Chief.

"He is your ally, and the Enopay need to keep what few friends they have close," says Mia-Koda.

"Do they now, Mia-Koda? The long-legs and the Enopay have not had contact since the days before my father.  We owe them nothing, and I cannot afford to sacrifice any of my men."

"What if there were a brave few who would volunteer to go to their aid?"

The Chief looks out at the remaining men still in the hut.

"I will spare only two of my ranks, but none of the greater-skilled warriors are permitted," the Chief says as a large warrior who stepped forward now backs down.

"Who of you will go to the long-legs' aid? " Mia-Koda loudly asks.  Not one of the Enopay answers her request.

"I will, I will go to the aid of these Pokwa," says a voice in the back.

"Who said that? Show yourself."

Akelou steps forward, lowering to one knee before the Chief.

The Chief sees an opportunity he must take advantage of. He knows this is a great way to get this young man out of his tribe. "Ha, granted," says the Chief.  "If you are in such a rush to leave us the night you return, I will not stop you."

"Is there no other man brave enough to ride with Screaming Eagle?" asks Alo.  Leotie walks up behind Akelou, "I will join Screaming Eagle on his quest."

The Chief shakes his head and looks down harshly at the volunteers.  "Let the woman go.  Let these two who do not have Enopay blood journey to the aid of the mud dwellers.  The decision is final.  The hunting celebration is over.  Now leave, all of you," orders the Chief.

Mia-Koda, walking with the crane on her shoulder, comes to Akelou's side.  "Go, both of you.  Gather what things you need, and meet Alo and me by the horses." Leotie bows, turns, and leaves the hut first.

"Ready for this are you, Screaming Eagle?" asks Alo.  Akelou stares him down and stands proud.  "Good to hear it," Alo says proudly.

They collect their horses and Tib before traveling down the Trail of Silent Steps.  Leotie meets them, dressed in the same clothes she wore the day she entered Akelou' s camp in the Black Forest. Walking with her horse, her hair is tied back and she carries her bow.

"We leave for the swamps, and there is no turning back.  I hope none of you mind a little mud," Mia-Koda says with a smirk as she takes out the Moura Stone.  She scrapes the mud from the scrolls and rubs it on the stone.  She releases the relic, dangling it close to the ground.  She starts to swing the stone, creating a doorway to the swamps.  Mia-Koda leads her horse and Tib through the door first.  Leotie follows with her horse, but before Akelou can walk through the door, Alo grabs him.

"She is special in more ways than you know.  Take the greatest care of her, for she will do the same for you." Alo squeezes Akelou's arm tightly before turning and walking back to the Msa-Oda. Akelou takes a last look at the city. The sun begins to rise above it, waking the world and engulfing the clouds in burning flame. He turns and walks through the doorway.

CHAPTER TWELVE

"What is that smell, Mia-Koda?" Leotie asks as she covers her nose in disgust.

"That is the delicate swamp mushroom, child.  They release a potent-smelling pollen when disturbed."

Mia-Koda raises her staff, and its tip shines.  The air shimmers, reflecting the light from Mia-Koda's staff.  Akelou waves his hand through the glittering particles and watches the pollen swirl around his fingers.  Mia-Koda lowers her staff, and the pollen slowly fades.

"The Moura stone brought us here because the ink used in the scroll is made from this mud.  We are in the domain of the Pokwa, and it won't be long until we are noticed.  The Pokwa are a proud and powerful race who will hold you to your words, so watch what you say.  You must all be careful around the younglings, their vibrant colored skin secretes some of the strongest toxin I have encountered."

Mia-Koda swings her staff suddenly, and brings it to a stop in front of Akelou's face.  Akelou steps back defensively, staring at Mia-Koda.  She turns her staff to show him a dart lodged in the wood.  "We are not alone.  This is a poison dart used by the Pokwa guard.  The color and groove patterns on its surface will tell you its maker." Mia-Koda looks around, "Show yourself . . . we come at the request of Theopa, your king." She lifts her staff toward the trees, "They will be hiding high on the trunks."