excerpt
“Those who left you on this shore caused you the pain you have had to suffer. I
am sorry. The raiders were Pequat. By their law and our own law, we had to leave and
let them take you or they could have destroyed our village and taken our children as
well. A Pequat mother lost a daughter just as Brown Bear lost his Namid.”
Bjorn stood up in anger, “How? Where?”
Ari also rose, painfully. “Who did this murder?“
White Eagle raised his hand for silence. “Word has spread from further toward the
warm lands that the serpent ship brought death among our neighbours. The Pequat
travelled far to where they camped last night. They lost warriors and have the right
to take the bravest from among you to replace lost sons and daughters. Your brave
singing saved your lives. Now our people have bought you back so you belong to us.”
Ari looked around to his companions, then he replied for all, “Thank you for our
lives. We will be your people. Your people will be our people.”
“Now,” said White Eagle, “you must eat and rest. You have done well.” He turned
to Rordan and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You have honoured us with your
bravery and with your music. We gave many gifts to have you back. The Pequat warriors
have named you Hototo Nikamu, Warrior Spirit Who Sings. Now you are our
Mountain Thrush, Hototo Nikamu, and you are free to fly as you will.”
When White Eagle left to go to his lodge, Brother Keallach spoke to Rordan, “If we
are to stay here forever, shouldn’t we talk to Father Finten, first?”
“Not on your bloody life.” Ula was angry. “He wasn’t ransomed. Shit! He wasn’t
even with us. He can go when he bloody well wishes. This is our decision. Rordan
has spoken for all and his word stands.”
Brother Ailan used his right hand to get to his feet. His left hand was heavily
wrapped in moss and balsam fir sap. Brother Rordan had learned of the healing
properties of balsam from Corn Mother and, having paused to gather sap and cones
on the return journey, had already applied resin to everyone’s burns and to Ailan’s
finger stump. Now Ailan stood to address his Brothers. “No matter what happens, do
not forget we are tied to Father Finten by our vow of obedience.”
“Maybe you are, if you choose to be. At least three of us are free to make our own
decisions.” Ula stomped out of the lodge and Bjorn and Ari followed after her.
Rordan looked at both Keallach and Ailan. “What do we do about Finten? Has
anyone seen him?”
For days, Finten roamed the headland, looking out to sea, afraid of what might
appear on that vast expanse, afraid and ashamed of what White Eagle and the First
Light People would think of him now. Why, when he knew he could be so brave,
did his knees buckle whenever he was faced with danger? He regretted that he had
not died with his Brothers. He was certain none of the companions had survived.
He’d heard the bloodcurdling shrieks as he cowered in the lodge. He’d seen blood
splattered on the ground outside the lodge. He’d seen the trails of blood where the
savages had dragged bodies into the woods, probably to be eaten at a gruesome victory
feast.
When the villagers returned and he saw that none had been wounded, much less
killed, he knew immediately he had been betrayed. The attack was not against the
village but only to capture and kill him and his Brothers and the other three.
Manolis Aligizakis 