The New World (The Last Delar) (30 page)

With tears falling from his cheeks, Akelou embraces his dying father.  "I love you, and I love her.  Tell her, father. . . tell her."

Akelou watches his father draws his last breath.  Akelou closes his father's eyes and looks up and sees his friends.  He stands and faces the tower of Ogdah, "YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERYTHING FROM ME. . . I CURSE YOU, AND I WILL HAVE MY VENGEANCE!" Akelou yells, shaking his fist at the tower.

Leotie puts her hand on his shoulder, "Akelou."

Akelou feels Tib embracing his leg, and he turns to the Meno and Salali.  "I know you are tired, my friends, and desire to go home.  We must gather wood and send my father off into the spirit world so he can see my mother once again.  We will travel to the Noshota swamps and return the princess to her people.  Then Mia-Koda will open a door back into the Menoli city."

Everyone gathers what wood they can laying it on Dirty Hands' wooden tomb.  Leotie is collecting kindling when she bends down and notices strange markings on the forest floor.  She rubs her hands around the wild imprints and sniffs discovering a foul scent.  She continues to search the area and finds more of these tracks.  She looks up at the others, then back at the canyons.  A chill rises up her spine and tingles her neck.  She can sense an evil, an evil like none she has ever felt.  She slowly returns to the group and sees all of the Meno and Salali gathered around Dirty Hands' body. Not seeing the rotting corpse of Ve-Na behind some underbrush. Akelou walks up to his stepfather with a lit torch.  He lowers his head and clenches his fist, squeezing it tightly before dropping the torch on the kindling.  He steps back and joins his friends as they watch the flames climb toward the stars.  Akelou feels a tongue lick the back of his neck and hears the dust wolf start to growl.  He smiles at Akima and Leotie's horse behind them.  Akelou turns and embraces Akima, tightly gripping his mane, and he pets his soft fur.

"Akelou," yells Leotie as she holds up the princess.  "She will not make it long in this dry wind.  She is near death and needs to go home."

Akelou agrees and looks back at the dying flames and takes out the Moura stone.  He looks down at the dust wolf and pets the tired animal.  "You are free now.  Go live in peace and find happiness in the wild." The wolf licks Akelou and sits by his side, standing his ground and nudging his nose into Akelou's gut.  "You are welcome to come, but a tough road lies before us.” The wolf whimpers. “Ok, then I must name you." Akelou looks deep into his eyes.  "I shall call you Jabra.  It means, 'with big ears,' in the Menoli speech." The wolf looks up and howls loudly.  Akelou nods his head and scratches the wolf's neck.

Akelou opens a door into the muddy shallows of the swamp.  They leave the edge of the canyons and return to the swamps in the middle of a dark night.  The air is much cooler and humid as they slosh in the thick waters.  The princess falls to the swamp floor.  She begins to roll around in the swamp, drinking what water she can and covering her skin in the lush mud.  She gets to her hands and knees and starts to croak in the darkness.  Jabra's large ears perk up, and he growls at torches that light the swamp around them.

"They are back, and the princess travels with them!" they hear voices yell, followed by distant croaks.

Pokwa begin to emerge from the trees and to congratulate the princess's rescuers.  They offer the weakened Meno and Salali provisions and carry the princess back to the city. The king appears from behind a tree and the Pokwa become quiet.  The princess falls into her father's arms, and they weep together.  Females bring the princess her royal garb and food and water for the hero’s.

"OUR PRINCESS HAS BEEN RETURNED TO US, MY FRIENDS!" shouts Theopa.  "Tonight we rejoice in her return and honor her rescuers with the greatest of feasts.  Lift these champions onto your shoulders, my brethren, and lead them to the Choa.  Hooray! Hooray! For Akelou and his companions, HOORAY!"

"HOORAY," they all yell lifting Akelou and his friends on their shoulders.  All the Pokwa sing and celebrate as they march to the Choa.  Once they reach the entrance, Mia-Koda is waiting for them holding her staff that glows in the darkness.  She raises her arms, and the crowd calms down.  She lifts her staff to Akelou's face, gazing at him in the light, then she moves her staff to the others.  She lowers her staff and walks toward the weary Salali and Meno.

"I see joy and relief in the eyes of my many Pokwa friends, but I also see pain and suffering in the eyes of these few.  Much has been sacrificed for this homecoming, and much still must be sacrificed.  White Stripe, son to the Stewart of the Menoli, come forward." White Stripes comes to Mia-Koda’s side, nervously crouching before her.

"Where once a great city of men and gliders stood, now there is only slavery and suffering.  I have been to the realm of the Menoli and have talked to the scattered rebels that live in hiding, including your mate, Whispers."

"You must go and lead them against the Nossa that rule your city.  Most of the soldiers that occupy your city will soon be summoned to join the forces against the Pokwa, and they will leave only a few men behind.  You must use this opportunity to take back what was once yours.  Once you have reclaimed the Menoli Tree, the city must empty.  When this is done, you must meet me at the three stones, where I will bring you back to the Noshota to help defeat the Wicked King’s army."

Stripes falls to one knee and raises his head, "By my claws I pledge to return and fight against Usk-Ka.  I will go back to our city and rally what soldiers we can and return in haste.  I only hope we have the strength to do what is needed."

The Pokwa stomp their feet and croak a rally cry in response to his oath.

"Good, my friend.  Courage is what is needed now.  You must all look into your hearts and find your strength, for a battle will soon be at your door, and I cannot promise victory." Mia-Koda walks to Akelou's side and grabs his arm, raising it into the air.  "But you will not stand alone as long as friends and loyalty still live. . . there is always hope!" The Pokwa erupt in cheers and resume the celebration.

Mia-Koda embraces all who have come stopping when she sees  Argle.  She inspects him and stares at his helmet, and an expression of understanding fills her face.  "You are the youngest of Black Claw's offspring, are you not?"

"Yes, I have traveled far with Akelou and Leotie, into the darkness and back.  My mother has told me of you.  She has told me of your power and the good you have done for my family."

Mia-Koda pats Argle on his shoulder, and takes the Moura stone from Akelou to open a door to the realm of the Menoli.  "Remember, Stripes, bring everyone that you can, for if we fail, both cities are doomed." Stripes bows to Mia-Koda and walks into the doorway, followed by the Meno and Salali.

"Argle, what are you doing?" asks Akelou before he walks through the door.

"My place is with my people and my sister.  I will bring my father's helmet back to the Menoli and return with an army to aid you in battle.  We will meet again." Akelou and Argle lock forearms before Argle walks into the doorway and disappears.

Mia-Koda stands before Akelou.  "When I was among the Meno and Salali in hiding, I was told Dirty Hands was taken captive.  Did you see him alive?"

"Yes, he gave me this from my mother before he left to be reunited with her."

Mia-Koda looks down at the small piece of cloth.  "Now, rejoined, your parents celebrate with us from the spirit world.  There is no time at this moment for loss and grief.  Instead, embrace in the joy of a daughter who has been returned to her family."

The celebration rages in the hall of the Choa, and Tib, Leotie, and Akelou are given full honors.  Then Akelou slips away and steps out onto the terrace that overlooks the swamp.  He stares into the horizon and thinks about his mother.  A hand caresses his neck and startles him.  He turns and sees Leotie standing behind him.  She looks deep into his eyes and smiles.  Akelou gazes at her and her long black hair, and takes her into his arms.  A slave to his heart, Akelou holds her tight and locks his lips upon hers.  The romantic embrace lasts for moments, but the world stops around the couple for a lifetime.  As they release their embrace, they turn and look over the swamps together, holding each other tightly.

---

The doors to the King’s Chambers chamber bursts open.

"Bring me parchment, you idle fools," he coarsely shouts to his advisors.  "My son has been slain by forest savages while you sit here and do nothing." He rips the parchment from a cowering advisor's hand and begins to write.

General Ush-Ka,

I send you this parchment as a grieving father whose son was murdered by a treacherous forest savage.  I command you to attack the Pokwa city at once, sparing no lives but one.  You will find a girl covered in animal skins and carrying two short blades.  The scent of my dead son will still be on her.  Bring her to me alive, for her soul I will rape from its vessel for eternity.  Instruct Captain Ullace to fall back and reinforce you from the outer swamps.  You will lead the first attack on the city.  Once the city has fallen, Ullace and his men will lead the assault on the Menoli, claiming more slaves for our mines.  With these new slaves the shard will be discovered, and with it we will have the power to leave this forsaken land and conquer the Eastern Kings.  Do not return to me without the girl, or the last shard you crave so dearly will never be found.

Your Master

The King wraps the parchment and seals it with melted wax.  He walks to a cage next to his throne and hands the letter to a canyon raptor.  As the King opens its cage, the bird jumps onto his arm and waits for its orders.  "Take this to General Ush-Ka with all speed, my servant.  Do not stop until his arm you rest on.  If you think of seeking your freedom, you dirty savage, or Ush-Ka tells me this letter never reached him, I will have your father boiled alive and your mother ravished before I have her burned.  Disobey me, and never again will you take the form of man again."

The bird squawks, takes the letter and exits the chamber through a high window.  He sits on his throne and points to his advisors, "Leave me, you wretched cows, and do not disturb me until you have my son's murderer in your grasp.  Have every Indian savage expelled from my tower and forced outside our walls.  Command the guard that no one sleeps until Ush-Ka has returned." His advisors bow and leave the King alone in his dark chamber.

---

"Akelou, wake up, Akelou," says Leotie pushing against his sleeping body.

"What is it?" Akelou responds while wiping his tired eyes, which are thickly crusted over from the long night of celebrating.

"The Pokwa chief has gathered a council in the hall.  He wants us to attend."

"Right, well, give me a moment to gather my things.  I will meet you by the stairs."

Leotie moves her head close to Akelou, and her silky hair crosses his face.  Her smell fills his throat as she kisses his cracked lips.  She leaves the room, walking carefully to avoid the snoring Pokwa warriors that line the floor.  Akelou touches his lips and hears the loud sound of someone passing gas in their sleep.  He turns to see Tib rolling over and scratching his rear.  As he shakes his head, Akelou's mind wanders back to the kiss and the night.  Quickly Akelou dresses and kicks Tib in frustration.  Leaving the room, he meets Leotie by the winding stairs that lead to the hall of the Pokwa.  On their way to the hall, Akelou catches Leotie glancing at him, and when their eyes meet, they both smile and quickly look in the other direction.

Once they come to the door that leads to the hall, two Pokwa guards stop them.  The guards, brothers, salute the couple before opening the door.  In the hall the king, his court, and high-ranking warriors like Oboe and Mia-Koda have gathered.  The princess, dressed in her royal Pokwa garments, sits next to her father.  She does not look at all like the naked, starving, and dehydrated prisoner they rescued.  Her finely crafted armbands are polished and shine brightly.  The princess's loincloth drags behind her, glimmering as she rises from her throne.  Over her body there are many painted symbols, and on her head she wears the royal tiara of the Pokwa.  The princess approaches Leotie and Akelou, and embraces them in a gentle, aristocratic hug.  She kisses Akelou, then Leotie, on the neck and bows.

"I am most grateful to you, my courageous outsiders.  The Pokwa will always be your friend and the Choa a home to you."

They both bow, thanking her for her words.  The hall fills with the sound of stomping feet and loud croaking, then it quiets and everyone looks up at their king.  Mia-Koda motions for Akelou and Leotie to come over and sit beside her.

The Pokwa chief stands and raises his hands.  "We come here today, to discuss the inevitable attack of the False King’s army.  Our princess and our future have been saved, but the time of celebration is over.  By the time the moon is full, Ush-Ka will be inside our borders.  His army is large, their blades are long, and their steel is sharp.  Ush-Ka is a merciless warrior who will kill everyone in his path if he is able.  His men will turn our lands red with the blood of Pokwa.  He will come with beasts and savage men who will not stop until our city burns.  He will hunt down our children and our mates.  No one will be safe." The king lowers his head and rubs his tired, worried eyes.  "I ask you who represent the Pokwa families to choose.  Do we stand and fight to the end, or flee, scatter, and hope to survive?"

The hall erupts in shouting, "Fight!"

"We stand and fight!"

"This is our land.  I would rather die than flee."

The king again raises his arms, quieting the hall.  "Yes, yes, but simple battle may not save us.  This is the last home of the Pokwa; we have no home outside our borders.  We have no kin to call for aid-"

"What about the forsaken ones.  Long have they dwelled in the shadows, but never have they attacked us.  If this is our darkest and most desperate hour, then I say it is time to seek them out once again," says an old Pokwa of the court.  The hall becomes silent, and many Pokwa shake their heads, having heard Bacas talk about the dark ones before.