THE TRIBE of D'AKANII Part Two.

SAFE GROUND, FIRST BIRTH

Aug 15, 2023

“Love the hand that fate deals you and play it as your own, for what could be more fitting” Marcus Aurelius.

12975BBBC.

After the disaster at the bridge, whilst tending the injured, a scouting party, twelve strong explored for a forward route. They discovered a well used network of footpaths through the forest, and a village that appeared to be recently deserted. Their keen eyes noted evidence of regular winter use, yet did not tarry, as they knew that equally keen eyes observed their passage. Showing peaceful intent by not unslinging their bows, they pressed on.

Some distance further, emerging from the trees, they were soon confronted by a broad swamp, stretching eastwards to the Egg Sea. Unwilling to approach the stinking shore, they attempted to cross the swamp. Spreading out, upto thigh deep, the front waders were soon getting bitten, screaming and falling. A hasty retreat to dry land ensued, two of them missing. The surviving wounded were treated, but became feverish, their brown skins turning yellow. Two died during the night, buried in the morning, before resuming their duty as pathfinders.

Travelling west, mild fever delaying their progress, a wide sluggish river feeding the swamp barred their intention of moving north. Eventually above swirling cateracts, a line of small islands in clear water offered safe advancement. Higher ground beyond promised safety and shelter for the impending winter. As four of the scouts were still yellow and weak, the other four chose to allow those stricken to rest. Meanwhile the fitter would return to the tribe, then lead them to the crossing.

Benedara had made good use of the the recovery time by teaching the youngsters something of her skills. Burning charcoal, mixing plant and animal oils with earth, she introduced her pupils to pigment making. Then onto creating images on rough cloth and skins. She took Nocht our onto the plain to instruct him in the arts of ground signage and cairn construction. Larger stones correctly oriented at different heights would be clear messages to later travellers. As Nocht was already familiar with many of the techniques, it was really her ruse to spend time together.

Reunification came to pass, the tribe commenting on the still yellow skin of those camped at the river. The condition remained life long, passing on to some of their children. They became known as the Ah-Shein, Yellow Faces.

The following day they all ventured into the uplands, eventually arriving in a valley where one wall riddled with openings, lead to an extensive labyrinth. They quickly ensconced themselves within reasonably warm dry caves. At the bottom of the terraced cliff lukewarm water spilled to deep pools. The valley floor lush with small game and edible plants. Many of the caves had clearly been previously inhabited. Long ago the occupants had embellished their homes with images on the rock walls. Benedara was intrigued. Taking Nocht and torches to explore deeper, they came to a large chamber, extensively decorated. Suddenly excited, she let out a long sigh of awe “Aaaaaah ! Sha-Dro-Guhaani ! I have been told of these creatures” The wall depicted men in commune with long necked winged creatures, fearsome to behold. “Look !!” she pointed at a series of dots and strokes “What does it mean ?” Cried Nocht, mystified as ever with his companion. “The name of these animals is Sha-Dro-Guhaani - flying beasts of fire, known to be dangerous, yet the signs say Here Are No Enemies !!” She turned to face him taking both his hands “Nocht, We have an Oracle to decipher. This is my truth, I must, must, must stay here, will you stay with me ?” Startled and delighted, Nocht squeezed her hands in assent. Embracing, they kissed.

12974BBBC

By Midwinter, many of the tribe were talking about how this perfect place could be the New Golden Lantern. Jamera and his sons were in favour, the triphorlax argued unsuccessfully that their true destination lay much further to the north. They stayed put, much to Benedara’s relief. Not just because of her interpretations of the cave wall messages, but also because she was with child. Due to her split loyalties she had so far hidden this from her man. Their son Skandar was the firstborn at New Oriolandus, then a Daughter Wiyken, thirteen moons later.

K’Lentens came, M’Hernicusii were despatched to Malachoparus and Old Oriolandus. A few folk went with them to see if the forest folk had repaired the rope bridge. They hadn’t yet, but coiled ropes were stacked nearby. The M’Hernicusii set of upstream, and the rest turned back thru the forest, where they were briefly surrounded by a large number of laughing forest children. On reaching the river crossing they paused to construct a damn linking three little islands to form a curved pool for fish. Days later they returned to view the resulting bounty. This developed into a regular habit for the tribe, and slowly they were joined by the shy forest dwellers. Short weekly visits enhanced the damn, the workers carrying home fish a-plenty. Many of the cave mouths were fortified with stone walls and traps to restrict incursion of nosy animals. Life was comfortable and the tribe expanded. Smaller, indigenous tribes living in mid distant valleys, were happy to receive visitors. Their various tongues were near incomprehensible to the tribe, nor did they ever reciprocate the visits. After a while some of the tribe began to wonder why. Also it was a puzzle as to why their M’Hernicusii never returned.

12968BBBC

In the depths of the sixth, savage, winter, the caves growled. Faint aromas akin to those of the Egg Sea hung in the lower caves. Although nervous the tribe were reluctant to spend much time out in the bitter open air. Family by family they moved closer to the entrances. Almost a moon later later the noise and smell grew stronger. Those dwelling at the highest cavemouths had a clear view to the western horizon where a dark cloud emitted flashes as it grew. Tremors and fear allowed little sleep during that night. Some exited the caves, but but while the majority were still within, a floor suddenly disappeared beneath two drowsy families. Minutes later fissures opened everywhere, some pumping great globs of warm mud, claiming more victims. Most of the tribe escaped racing along or down the terraces. There was no actual daybreak, just the shadow of the dust cloud being blown away by a powerful, icy north wind. Fortunately the gloom receded and over a couple of days the streaming eyed, coughing survivors regrouped. The only serious injury was Jamera’s, who had run headlong into a hefty, low tree branch, opening his forehead, badly twisting an ankle as he fell senseless, down a steep incline into thorny ground.

Depleted by more than thirty, aware that the rescuing wind could change any moment they moved now as one body. Jamera’s sons carried their father on an improvised litter, Young Wiyken, holding fast to her grandfathers hand as she trotted alongside. If any of the missing were stragglers, they would have to cope on their own. One day further they were met on the track by two of their own tired and frightened youths, who had been visiting a valley tribe when the eruption occurred. They described how a short blast of flaming stones from the sky had sent the villagers rushing to the cover of water below a huge overhanging rock. As the village burned the boys had heard one word repeated over and over “Sdrogwhaan, Sdrogwhaan !!!” Wide of eye, Benedara and Nocht stared at each other, grokking the implications.

12967BBBC.

Leaving ground sign and cairns the tribe wandered through the wilderness. Northward whenever possible during eight full cycles they hunted bison and deer for seven moons, settling for the five moons of each winter. This was the time of discussion and teaching of Kenna Warreid, the Wisdoms of Truth. Wiyken delighted the elders with her constant barrage of sometimes impossible to answer, intelligent questions. When travelling, she repeated it all to her grandfather. Gradually he recovered his own oratory powers. Every K’Lenten the tribe would resume the long trek, the quest for the next beginning. Simultaneously two or three M’Hernicusii strode out for Old Oriolandus.

12964BBBC.

Three cycles underway, a small party of new travellers caught up with them, via the replaced rope bridge. They spoke of how most of the Northern M’Hernicusii had been slaughtered by the expanding Agiaina. Oriolandus marched every available archer into the mountains. For two cycles, in all weathers they had hunted the giant ogres to near extinction. Those wounded were spared, but as per the customary punishment of Shiclapp where each had to slap his own face. The eye nearest the striking thumb was immediately gouged out. Other sad news, Khalimar Sarkarius had passed, the battered sea wall had crumbled, and most of the original tribal lands had been abandoned. Three of the newcomers were visiting M’Hernicusii from other far flung expeditions, with stories of their own tribes. Notably, the Tribes of Sheff-Charram and Shebalphar had each happily founded city sites close by the north and east coasts of the great southern continent.

That same cycle Janak and his scouts came across a cairn they could not read, but believed it was possibly of Khumodin-Alach origin. Baffled at this unlikely news, Benedara was asked to use her Illuminati skills at the cairn. Janak led the escorting party. Three nights later she confirmed that the cairn was indeed of the Khumodin-Alach, perhaps two cycles old, telling that it was erected by an expedition from D’Hog’Harlan including Krinjii members returning from a search for a great salt plain far to the east. She had built another next to it. She did not tell that Janak had attempted to seduce her.

Yes, I Author !

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