The Ostyragor - Chapter 2 - The First Sign

Chapter 2 – The First Sign

“Shh, its alright. The dreams are over.” Ta'rak kept whispering those words, over and over, but the small woman still shook and shuddered in his arms.

Akeena had tiptoed into his room, slipped under the fur blanket and pulled his arm around herself. She proceeded to tear out his heart as she sobbed helplessly against his chest. He did the only thing he could do. He held her tightly and let her cry.

Early in the morning, he carried her back to her bedroom, still asleep, covered her with a blanket, and went back to bed to try and get a few hours of rest.

For the next three nights, she softly paddled into his room, crawled into his bed, and used his strength to get the comfort she needed to get some sleep. On the fourth night, when it was time for bed, he carried her to his bedroom. She cried herself to sleep, comforted as he held her close.

* * * * *

A'ton cringed visibly as he heard his wife mutter under her breath. She watched as Ta'rak carried the widow upstairs, and the look in her eyes was dark and thunderous.

“Let it go, Colli.” A'ton's his tone patient as he watched his wife storm through the kitchen.

“You saw her tears! Its too soon for her to be in his bed!” She turned back to the dishes, placed the large copper pot in the tub of water, and set a brush against the remains of night's supper like it was an enemy who dared to get too close. “She's leski! A widow! She's too upset! She might do something she would come to regret, and then where would he be! Closer to the Jakt Agor is where it would push him!” Bang! The remainder of the sauce stuck to the pot was no match for an angry housewife from Harm's End.

A'ton shook his head with a smile. Both of them cared for Ta'rak, and he could see almost a mothering love that burned within, but she was ten years Ta'rak's junior. He's had to endure much in his lifetime, and he should not have to deal with well meaning meddlers.

“Let it go. He can handle his own battles.” She turned on him, a snarl on her lips.

“A pretty young woman wraps herself all around him, the first one in a decade, and you think he can handle it? Men!” A'ton's eyes opened wide as his wife's anger turned against him. “He's more vulnerable then she is! He lost his wife, his father, and now his best friend!” Tears formed in her eyes at the thoughts running through her mind, her compassion obvious to anyone who would care to look. “He has no other family now.” She said it softly, but just as quick, her eyes became angry again. “Now that she has no family, they will have too much in common! What happens if he falls in love with the woman? She'll kill him even worse then when Jaana died. You didn't see it, A'ton! You didn't see what it did to him when she died!” Colli continued to slam pots down on the counter, punctuated her statements with a bang.

A'ton stare hardened. He hated when he was angry at Colli, but if he didn't stop her quickly, she would say something she would come to regret. He didn't want his wife to feel even worse now that their friend was dead.

“It is his life to live, and his heart to lose! Leave it be!” Colli turned, her lips still pulled back in a growl, but when she looked A'ton in the eyes, she knew that he would be unmovable. He would not back down if he thought he was correct, in spite of her feelings on the matter.

“Alright, alright, I just don't like it when things change so quickly.” A blush found its way onto her cheeks as she looked her husband in the eyes.

His blue eyes pierced right through her anger, and she remembered why she loved this man so much. In spite of his obvious good looks and muscular frame, he loved her, and choose to bond with her. After ten years of being bonded, he could still make her smile and blush like a young fresh faced girl not yet a woman.

Colli turned away, still blushing, and honestly hoped that the young woman wouldn't take advantage of the big oaf, as she called him sometimes. A'ton came up behind her and wrapped his large arms around her middle. Colli laughed when the stubble of his beard brushed against the back of her neck.

“Come. Ta'rak wants a family. Lets go try to fill up this home with babies.”

* * * * *

“I don't understand! Why do you want to do this?” Ta'rak was baffled. Akeena had just told him something that put his head in complete fog.

“I want us to be bonded. I can't live here, sleep in your bed, and be considered your wife until we do the ceremony.” Akeena said it plainly, but there was more to it then that.

“You don't have to go through the ceremony! That's what Avio'Lanko means.”

“No, that's what Avio'Lanko Valmiina means.” She stomped her foot in anger.

“I know that!” He snapped irritably. “You get to behave as my wife and have with no extra demands put on you. You get taken care of, regardless of whether or not you fall in love with another man, or you don't fall in love with anyone.” She had just managed to stop crying for a day, and last night was the first night she hadn't cried herself to sleep in nearly a week. Why did she want to do this now?

“It isn't just about me!” She snapped back. “You are in this relationship too!” He was taken by surprise when she turned on him in anger.

“It IS about you! My feelings don't matter! I am doing this so you can be protected!”

“It is about you too! I sleep in your damned bed!” She was as prickly as an angry cat, and she fairly spat the next sentence at him. “I am no huora and will not be treated like one in public! If people find out I sleep in your bed but we aren't bonded, do you know what they will think of me?” She looked ready to cry, her anger had started to subside, but the tears she held in check were ready to drop in an instant.

I sleep in Furlon's best friend's bed! How can I do that if we aren't bonded? This gentle bear will never hurt me, and he's so much stronger then Furlon. He would never get killed and leave me alone like that. But why does he have to be so handsome? She silently berated herself for her feelings, and desires, but they would not go away.

The bonding will make it right again. It must make it right! She looked up at him and saw the anger in the depths of his eyes, but it wasn't directed at her.

“If they dare say anything, I will make them meet their Final Rest faster then they would like!” Ta'rak's faced closed in anger at the thought that anyone would dare say something bad about Akeena. She smiled at how quickly Ta'rak would stand up for her, and took some comfort in his already firm loyalty.

“And what if you find someone else? Where would that leave me?” The fear she felt was now revealed. That question had plagued her since he offered her the position of his wife.

“I've already given you Avio'Lanko! To even think about leaving while bonded to you is unthinkable!” He got up from the chair and paced around the room. How dare she infer that he would ever leave his vows!

“Then bond to me! If you won't leave me unless I leave you, give me Kilhaus! Give us that year to find out whether or not we'll be together for life, or just until someone else 'catches' my eye!” As if she would be so fickle to fly from man to man, from bed to bed! She walked over to stand in front of him, looked up, and when he seemed to waver, she reached up and grabbed him by the beard.

“Yes or no? Bond to me!” He had to stare into her lovely liquid brown eyes, seeing them flash fiercely. For such a small woman, one who's already been through so much, her will was strong, and more then a match for his. She dominated him so quickly that he couldn't think of any type of response or argument against her suggestion. Just like Jaana.

“Alright! Fine, if that is what you want! I'll perform Kilhaus and bond to you!” She released the hair on his chin, allowing him to rub the pain from his face.

She lifted her eyebrow, and planted her hands on her hips.

“Oh. You mean now.”

* * * * *

Polkkypaa! They don't even know how to hunt! They don't even remember where they were hunting! We were close to the Jakt Agor, not outside a tavern! Ta'rak seethed inside, and his thoughts raced.

Every year was the same as the one before, and every time he came home from the Hunt, he was always in a foul mood. His sword would taste the wood of his practice posts out back and may the Ancient give him enough patience not to kill anyone foolish enough to piss him off while in this mood.

Kyla-Herra Kai, a governor of Stone Hollow Harbor, rode up beside him, and took note of his black mood.

“We've returned, with no deaths, and the only injuries were caused by drunkenness. A fairly successful Hunt, Ta'rak.” He turned to the lord, and there was a slight hint of amusement in his face.

“Successful, in spite of the polkkypaas we took with us, you mean, Kyla-Herra.” The man smiled a bit more.

“Just Kai please. I am not the Herra of Harm's End. I wished to thank you for keeping my fool hide intact out there. I was not prepared for the possibilities of where we were. Those sounds...” The man shivered in spite of the heat of the day.

“Yes. The Jakt Agor. We were quite close. A fact many of your fellow Herras could scarcely grasp.” The man shrugged.

“There are many facts they don't grasp. How much danger they were in every moment we were there is just one more in a long list. Again, I would like to thank you. I will only be staying one night in the local inn, just to give a bit back to your remarkable village for its hospitality. I would like to put my name on the list for next year, if I may.” Ta'rak nodded.

“Come over to the house before you leave. You can sign the list there.” He watched the Herra return to his guard, and noted the respect they gave to him. It was quite the change from their demeanor when he first arrived in Harm's End nearly a full dark moon ago.

Herra Kai had started the trip like the rest of the assorted wealthy leaders and merchants, completely oblivious to any and all dangers the world around them posed. His first night in camp was also the night he began to change. He became rattled as the denizens of the Jakt Agor went hunting for their meal.

Stories of the Jakt Agor have been told for hundreds of years, and like everyone else, he's heard them since he was a child. They went from being just stories to scare children, into living breathing horrors that can and will kill a man if he should come across one on this side of the bridge. He listened to the soldiers, to see how they behaved, and moved. Ta'rak taught him what to look for when he tracked an animal, and he seemed to learn. If anything, that town leader was the only highlight of the whole experience.

The list for the Hunt was already full, for at least the next two years. However, Herra Kai made this trip more bearable, so he would push him into a slot, even if he had to make a new one, or force someone else out.

“Home.” He breathed a sigh of relief when the walls of his village came into view. The sounds of life came over the walls, filled his ears, and told him that everything within was still safe and secure long before he reached the main gate.

One dark moon and I missed her each and every night. Her hair, her scent, and oh, those eyes! What wild eyes she has! The groan he suppressed was from deep within him as he remembered her liquid brown eyes lit up with anger.

Akeena had been bonded to him just before he left on the Hunt. She had insisted on a traditional Kilhaus ceremony. They put their heads side by side, Rodan took a lock of hair from each of their head, bound it with string, and then clipped it from their heads. Rodan gave it to his wife, for safe keeping. It symbolized their union, a loose engagement where they could determine if they would be together for life. If at the end of one year they decided not to formally bond, they could both walk away. If they chose to bond completely, their hair would be braided together. The tied piece was symbolic of a loose engagement that could easily be pulled apart. The hairs of the braid could never truly be fully separated. Once formally bonded, it would be until death claimed them.

The return of the Hunt's participants always resulted in an increase of business at the market. Farmers and merchants were quick to bring their wares out once again. The new inn flourished during this period, its fresh clean rooms were flooded with guests, and its main room overflowed with patrons who only wished to eat fresh food, and drink good wine. Families were reunited with their loved ones, while the hunters happily showed off their trophies. Ta'rak didn't see Akeena among the people in the courtyard.

“Ta'rak! Over here!” Nongul walked over to him from across the square and noted his haggard appearance. Ta'rak didn't miss the healthy chuckle at his expense.

“I see you've been getting as much sleep as the rest of us. You better get home. She's gotten herself so worried that she can't eat or sleep. I guess its to be expected though.” The deep circles beneath Nongul's eyes also showed a lack of sleep.

“Been worried sick over her myself. I didn't know how she would take it, me being gone for a full dark moon. I wasn't far wrong, I guess. You want to come over for supper?” Ta'rak asked hopefully. Nongul smiled and shook his head.

“Going to spend my time soothing my own wife's feathers. May the Ancient protect you.” He laughed wholeheartedly as Ta'rak swore. It was going to be a long night.

He watched Nongul walk away before he turned down his own lane. He missed Akeena, her warmth, and her smile, but he didn't miss the crying. He felt like an unfeeling boar for all the pain he caused her. He walked slowly up the few stairs into his home, and reluctantly opened the door.

What he expected was to have to fold the young woman into his arms and hold her until her tears stopped flowing, and then take the next week saying he was sorry and would not leave her like that for at least another year.

As soon as the door closed, a small body flew across the room, jumped and landed against his chest. Akeena's weight sent him backwards into the door. She held onto his shoulders with her fingers linked behind his head. Her eyes were shining as she pressed her lips against his and kissed him until he couldn't think straight. She had wrapped her legs around his waist, and used his strength to hold herself up while she kissed him senseless.

Ta'rak slid bonelessly to the floor, his legs taken out from under him in surprise. Akeena sat on top of him, and continued to rain down kisses on his unprotected face, with barely any room for him to breathe. She lifted her head, smiled down at him, then grabbed his beard.

“Don't leave me like that again.” Akeena was a complete mess. Her face was stained with tears, her hair matted, her dress looked salt stained from sweat, but her smile shined more brightly than the sun did while he was on the Hunt. She disappeared upstairs as he sat down in his chair, he face still reflected how dumbfounded he felt. Colli sat a large meal before him.

“He hasn't seen her in a whole moon and where has she gone?” Colli hissed when she went back into the kitchen. A'ton chuckled.

“Look out the window and find out.” Colli snarled and turned. She watched as Akeena pulled a bucket of water out of the well and walked up the back stairs so she wouldn't be seen. She was getting herself enough water to get cleaned up, and hadn't asked for help.

“Let her be. She needs to do this.” For the first time he could remember, Colli was speechless.

* * * * *

What is she thinking? Ta'rak lay beside his wife, a slight smile on his lips, a bit of sweat starting to appear on his forehead. Its been over a decade since he's been intimate with a woman, unable to get beyond the greatest love of his life. For Akeena, it had been less then a year. After they bonded formally early yesterday, it was only natural for her to want to consummate their relationship. How did she feel about this?

Her hand began to trace the outline of his bicep, and slipped her leg seductively over his. Then she giggled.

“Don't think I'm going to wait for another decade while you regain your strength!” Her voice turned sultry, silky, and her tongue traced the outline of his ear. A shiver went down his spine. “Come here.” She whispered into his ear.

It was going to be a long, but pleasant night.

* * * * *

“I don't want you to go and leave me alone again!” Akeena's eyes were shooting daggers, her arms crossed over her breasts, standing with her back to him.

If he thinks I'm alright with him leaving for another full dark moon, he's an even bigger polkkypaa then I thought he was! She tapped her foot angrily.

“I have to go! I go every year because its my Hunt! This is important for the village!” Ta'rak ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Harm's End needs the Hunt every year! If I suddenly say that I am canceling it, do you know how many people will suffer as a result?” She turned back to him, her eyes flashing angrily.

“And what about me? Don't I count? I will suffer because you are leaving me alone again!” Akeena uncrossed her arms, threw her arms wide and glared down at him while he sat in his chair. After she dramatically raised her arms, she laid her hands on her hips, daring him to say she wasn't important.

“Of course you're important to me! Your my wife!” A blush came to her face, followed by a slight smile when she heard him declare her title possessively. It felt nice to be able to hear that once again, being a man's wife. Not just any man but Ta'rak's wife. “I also know it will be lonely for you when I go on the Hunt. Even though I was surrounded by people while I was gone last year, I only wanted to be home, here, with you! My armas.”

Armas. Beloved. Her eyes turned smokey, filling with desire, a response to the knowledge that he wanted to be near her, even back then. She didn't know why this man made her feel this way, and so often. In the beginning, the closer she felt to Ta'rak, the more pangs of guilt Akeena would feel. She would sleep beside him, for comfort and end up feeling guilty that she could draw on that comfort. Over the next couple of dark moons, she found the man easy to get along with. She enjoyed his company, and would seek his scent in his discarded clothes when he was no where in sight.

I love him! No more guilt over loving him. After six dark moons, we are finally bonded, and he wants to leave me alone again!

From the day they were bonded, its been a wild horse and carriage ride, with bumps and surges, and all associated with her feelings for Ta'rak. They were so intense that she was terrified something would happen to him. If he were to die, her life would become so bleak and empty that she couldn't picture herself wanting to live for even a moment.

“But you're still going?” She asked, eyes still hazy with desire.

“I have to.” He replied miserably. For the first time in the last ten years, being on the trail, which he enjoyed immensely, was less enjoyable then being at home.

“Then lets see if I can make this Hunt as miserable for you as it will be for me.” She slipped her arms out of the sleeves of her dress, and dropped it to the floor.

His eyes went wide as his wife walked closer, her dark skin glistening in the candlelight, and her eyes reflecting her hunger.

“Just how energetic are you feeling tonight?” She looked up at him through her lowered lashes, and heard him groan. Akeena planned to make him so exhausted, and so wrapped around her over the next couple of dark moons that when he left for this Hunt, he would never think about leaving her alone again. She would make him long for her to the point that it would be real pain. That would teach him for leaving her alone again.

Ta'rak lowered his lips to her neck and kissed the spot he knew drove her wild. He missed her smile, an evil little smile that spoke volumes about how she would make him suffer.

* * * * *

“This is how our markets should be!” Nongul looked around appreciatively.

The market bustled with activity and promised to keep going for another cycle or so, while the assorted nobles were out on the Hunt. Their families and other retainers would browse the stalls, and bring much needed silver to the inhabitants of Harm's End. Everybody seemed to be in a good mood. Smiles weren't plastered on, and the hopeless looks of last year were a thing of the past.

“Ho, what's this? Rodan? Oh oh, he looks angrier then a hornet! Better go see what has him so riled up.” Nongul watched him stomp around in front of the manor, the veins on the sides of his head bulged as he ground his teeth, and muttered as he walked. He couldn't imagine what had him so angry. He decided to find out what had him muttering to himself like a sekopaa, a madman.

“Rodan! How does the morning find you?” He waved to him as he walked in between a gap in the posts in front of his home. He had to sidestep quickly in order to avoid a cart being pushed through the courtyard, loaded with lumber for the stalls in the common square. He gave a sour look to the man who pushed the cart, who only shrugged his shoulders, barely able to look over the top to actually see anybody ahead.

Nongul finally cleared the courtyard, entered the small square just in front of the Elder's home, which was only a couple of yards wide and deep.

“That sekopaa convinced the rest of the council to send me on the Hunt this year!” Nongul's face dropped the smile like it had never been there, and his gaze turned cold. He turned and gripped the top of the closest rail of the fence.

“No need to ask which idiot did that.” Rodan could hear the well oiled leather of Nongul's gloves squeak on the rail, his grip was that firm. “That makes three councilors who were not involved in the decision, including the Elder. I don't like that one bit.” The metal in Nongul's tone startled Rodan a bit. Nongul usually didn't get too deeply involved in the politics of the village. Apparently Mia had stepped over the line this time.

Rodan had a thought and smiled. “Who gets to tell Ta'rak?” Nongul smiled a nasty looking smile in response. He was a brave man, but he wasn't stupid and to send the Elder on this Hunt would be one of the dumbest things any village council could do.

Nongul shook his head of the idea that took hold, not wanting his friend to spill blood, even if it was sometimes necessary. “I think we should go over and find out how he's doing. If he's in a bad mood, we might want to wait, or we might have a state service this year.”

“Tell you the truth, he hasn't really been in a bad mood during this last year, has he?” Ta'rak did smile easier this last year, and one hardly left his lips.

“No, he hasn't. Its a shame his new happiness had such a high price.” Nongul had to step aside for a small group that walked through the courtyard, obviously visitors from the city, as they took in the more humble and rustic nature of the village.

Ta'rak was on the front porch and pulling up a chair when they came around the corner. He had a large mug filled with his favorite blend of tea that the inn brought in for him. Very few people knew the man behind that grim face, but the woman he cared for had him wrapped around her little finger already, and she made him happy to care for her. She made him so happy that Rodan couldn't remember the last time he raised his voice.

“Ta'rak, we need some bread for lunch. Do you think you could go get a loaf?” Akeena called from the open door. He looked over and smiled.

“Can it wait a moment? I'd like to just sit and enjoy the sunshine while my tea is hot. There won't be many more days like today. I can feel a chill in the air already.” She came over from the door and kissed him on the cheek.

“Just be sure its still warm. I know how you like it when its still steaming from the oven.” His eyes crinkled as he laughed. It was such a change in personality that Rodan wasn't sure if he had been hit over the head.

“Is he alright? I've not seen him so gentle in the time I've known him,” Rodan whispered.

“You should have seen him with his first wife. He would jump up to do as she asked as soon as she asked. He looked forward to every smile, and every kiss as though it was the last he would ever get. Her death devastated him. His lust for life just died with her.” Nongul sighed. “This is the man I've known for years, and to tell the truth, I am glad to have him back. I could do with a few late nights drinking mead and telling stories the way we used to.” Nongul had not realized until now just how much he missed this man's friendship. He knew that he could count on Ta'rak when it came to support, a sword lifted up in his defense, but there was a lot more to friendship then just having someone's back.

“Hopefully I will get to know that man too. The one I've known was always short tempered, but I must admit he was still solid. If he was your friend, there was no better to have at your side. No better to have at your side or back!” They started walking to his porch again, catching his attention before they even stepped up the first stair.

“Nongul! Rodan! Good morning! How does this day find you both?” Both men fought to suppress a smile at his greeting but couldn't keep it from their faces. His happiness was obvious and infectious.

“Morning, Ta'rak. How is Akeena these days? We barely see her about the village anymore.” Ta'rak motioned to the councilors to step up onto the porch.

“Dear! Nongul and Rodan are here!” He yelled into the house. “You gentlemen are welcome to come to supper tonight. I have a barrel of mead that I want to share with some friends. I'm sure Akeena wouldn't mind having you there either.” He smiled as he heard her approaching footsteps.

“Rodan, Nongul, haven't seen you gentlemen in a while. How are things?” Ta'rak pulled her closer and wrapped an arm around her waist. She fell into his lap laughing, losing her stern look just as quickly.

“We are well, Akeena. We just came by to discuss some things with Ta'rak and decided to check on you while we were here. How have you been lately my dear?” She turned a stern gaze back on the Elder.

“Don't give me that fatherly tone, Rodan! I'm just as old as you even though I don't have the gray hair to prove it!” Ta'rak chuckled at her sudden rise in temper, having gotten used to how fiery his new wife was. Rodan held up his hands in surrender, smiling while he stepped back a bit.

“Of course, but we still wanted to check on you! Now that we can see you're alright, there's no need to keep you.” Rodan was a little put off by her demeanor, but Nongul would have none of it. He pulled the woman roughly into his arms and hugged her.

“It nice to see that your alright. And don't tell me that your my age!” She laughed at that. No, she was no where near his age. He was a full two decades older then she was, although you would never know it. His age had not caught up with him yet and fifty was still a young age for people in the border lands, growing stronger and healthier the closer they lived to the Jakt Agor.

“I wouldn't dare! I still have my pride you know!” She left the men laughing on the porch, reminding Ta'rak he still had to go to the bakers for bread.

“Ta'rak, I don't know how to say this, but I will just come out and say it anyway. It seems that Mia called a meeting of the council and had them vote to send me on the Hunt this year.” Rodan didn't know what he expected, but Ta'rak's smile left his face almost before he finished.

“He did what? A meeting in which our fellow councilors decided that it would be best not to include us in the proceedings?” Rodan stepped back again, almost falling off the porch. He became momentarily unnerved when he witnessed something he thought he had imagined a year ago. He saw Ta'rak's eyes go completely black. No iris, no pupil, no whites, just a solid black as though there was a void behind his eyes and nothing else. It faded as quickly as it came, throwing the Elder off balance. Nongul stepped into the conversation to fill in the gap Rodan left when he didn't respond.

“Unfortunately yes, they did have a meeting and didn't call at least us two. Did they call you to it?” He couldn't keep the frustration he felt out of his voice. It angered him to be cut out of this decision since he might have been able to remind the councilors about the stupidity of sending their Elder away for even a short time.

Ta'rak shook his head. “No, they didn't. Ring the bell. It is time they remembered a few details about the way things are done in this village.” There was an edge to his voice that sent shivers down their spines. Someone was in trouble.

“Akeena dear, I will be an hour or so, and then I'll be home, and yes I'll get the bread.” He assured his wife. She heard the bite in his tone and would ask him about it later. He walked a steady pace, but one that forced the shorter men to rush to keep up.

A few minutes later, the bell at the Elder's manor could be heard throughout the entire village.

* * * * *

The councilors of Harm's End approached the manor as skittish as cats walking around a sleeping dog. Some of them looked frightened. The one standing at the door, showing them the way in wasn't Rodan. Ta'rak held the door to make sure everyone of them was there. His ax was on his belt.

Once every councilor, including Mia, had seated themselves at the table, Ta'rak entered the room and slammed the door. They knew he was upset, but when he took his seat, they started to murmur. Mia decided that he would berate the Elder for calling the meeting, even though it was his right.

“Rodan, why have you called this meeting? Don't you ...” He jumped back when Ta'rak's ax flew across the room and embedded itself in the post closest to his head.

“You dropped something.” Nongul chuckled evilly, went round the table and pulled the ax from the wood. He tossed it back across the table, and every councilor watched as Ta'rak caught the blade easily. It was a show that he was putting on, and let anyone interrupt him at their peril.

Nongul put his hand on Mia's shoulder and pushed him back into his seat. “Last time I checked Mia, Rodan was Vanhin, not you! As such, he is allowed to call whatever meeting he sees fit to call, and you will jump when he says to JUMP!” Nongul used the Elder's formal title, which raised a few eyebrows and turned Mia a shade not far off of white.

Ta'rak got up, stalked around the table, and tried to get his anger under control. It took a few moments, but when he had his chaotic thoughts more in line, he turned to the table once again.

“I have heard about a meeting, not called by our Elder, one in which the decision to send our Elder on the Hunt was made. Am I correct in that assumption?” He said it was an assumption, which allowed them to correct him if it was untrue. He also drew out the word to highlight the irritation in his tone.

Stig spoke quietly. “We were told that you gentlemen did not wish to come to the meeting. I had no idea that you were not invited.” Mia looked smaller in his chair than he had ever before. He was cowed in front of his fellows, and his power looked like it had slipped through his fingers. This was a careful plan in which he assumed he would be able to finally show the village that he was more fit to lead the council then Rodan. Unfortunately, it appeared that Ta'rak was not going to bend in his direction.

“Was the meeting located here? Has Rodan ever missed a meeting? Meetings are held in his home and you all believed that it was true? Bloody polkkypaa! Are you inferring that I might be stupid enough to believe this load of skeida? Are you sekopaa? No wait, don't answer that question. You obviously are. Who else would think that sending their primary defense on a Hunt where he might be injured would be a damned good idea!” Ta'rak tried to keep himself from yelling, but as his eyes turned black, each word was punctuated with a cold blast of wind.

“No wait, do you take me for a polkkypaa? I would be very careful on how you word any answer, but you had better damned well answer me. Which tolvana thought of this?” Tolvana, polkkypaa, sekopaa, idiot, fool, and madman; all words that applied to the person who arranged this. Everyone pointed to Mia.

“Now Ta'rak, it isn't madness. Its really quite a good idea! Rodan hasn't had a vacation in years! He needs some time off!” He stuttered, and hoped that the big man wouldn't remove his head from his body, as he had very nearly done over a year ago. If he could win Ta'rak over, get him to side with him, then the rest of the council would vote in his favor.

“Do any of you”, Ta'rak tried to keep himself from sneering the word but was unsuccessful, “men know what the penalty is for interference with the Elder's duties within the village?” The assembled councilors swallowed the lump growing in their throat. They knew the price. They could be hung, or executed in whatever way the Elder saw fit, including being burned alive with his power, or to have the Raaka use any number of the skills they possessed to kill them. There was no jail, no dungeon, and no way to serve time as your sentence. You were either exiled, or executed.

“We were told that it was all above board! Mia assured us!” Ta'rak growled at those seated at the table.

“What Rodan says goes, and if he says he will abide by the council's decision, that is his decision.” Ta'rak straightened up, closed his eyes for a moment, and it seemed as if his anger was getting the best of him before he spoke again. “If my wife is hurt, injured, or anything else while I am on this Hunt and Rodan is on the Hunt with us, I am going to end the life of the one, every single one responsible for removing the primary defense of our village. Is that clear?” He turned his black eyes on Mia and pinned each councilor with his stare, one after the other before turning to leave.

“I will abide by the decision of the Elder, and him alone.” He almost spat on the floor, looked at Rodan, and decided against it. “I won't do that in your home, Elder. I at least have that much respect for you. Not that I can say the same for the others in this room.” He stalked out of the hall, oblivious to the arguments that flew around the chamber.

* * * * *

Rodan and Nongul walked out behind Ta'rak, their jaws hanging wide open.

“Is he Raaka?” Nongul was more then familiar with the effects of being a Raaka, and the consequences of their powers for most of his life.

Rodan shook his head. “He did things no Alokas, a novice, could ever do! It is way beyond their abilities, and quite frankly, mine. He spoke, and the winds hammered with his words! I've never seen control like that before!” Rodan was staggered with the possibilities, but there was nothing he knew of that could fit what he had witnessed.

“Did you see his eyes? That's the first time I've seen anything that says he has power!” Nongul shivered. Those black eyes, pitch black with no iris, pupil, or white.

“Like an unlit cave!” Rodan couldn't get the image out of his mind. “Ancient preserve us.”