Pools of Yarah Read online

Page 9


  He sat down and lowered his gaze to the table, unable to look at Hramack’s stunned face. Mitsu supported Kena’s reasons for exploring, but feared the wrath of Yarah. His lackluster plea for tolerance moved no one. In the end, he too was shouted down. Kaffa sat silently at the rear of the room, voiceless. His presence was all the support he could show for Kena and Hramack. It was proving to be not enough.

  After hours of yelling and screaming mingled with fervent prayers to Yarah, the six-man Council finally reached a decision. Chu Li rose to announce the Council’s decision.

  “Kena, you are our only Healer. Ningcha needs you and your craft. From this day forward, you will go into the Burning Lands only to collect herbs as needed and only when accompanied by two others to prevent you wandering. Hramack, since he shows no respect for the Healing arts, will no longer study medicine under you. Aparu, eldest son of Roagneau, will become your new apprentice. Hramack will tend the flocks with the children. Perhaps this will help him to grow into a responsible member of our village. He, too, cannot leave Ningcha. If either of you breaks this edict, Hramack will forfeit his life. Both of you will be held prisoner for ten days in one of the grain silos, only being released to tend to the sick. This is deemed fitting punishment for your transgressions and will serve as a reminder to others that the Council works solely for the benefit of the people of Ningcha. This punishment may seem harsh, but these are harsh times. The Council has spoken.” Chu Li slammed the heel of his staff onto the rock floor with a resounding thud.

  Chu Li’s pronouncement stunned Hramack. He had expected a warning at most. As a mere herder, he could not marry Teela. Herding was a job left to children not yet deemed of marrying age. The High Priest’s threat of death as a punishment for further transgressions was unheard of. Chu Li had grown too strong. No one could stop him now.

  Ningcha had held no one prisoner in its long history. It had never been necessary. This move was Chu Li’s personal notice to Kena that things were changing. The Council, under Chu Li’s leadership, was now in charge. Without Kaffa’s wisdom and guidance on the Council, Chu Li now could forbid any attempt to seek the materials to repair the rapidly failing equipment. In addition, Kaffa had lost power by supporting Kena. Those who would have sided with him would now be afraid of opposing the High Priest. It was too much for Hramack to comprehend.

  Unless the springs began to flow soon, all would die. Would Chu Li be willing to sacrifice a life to appease Yarah, as in the old days? Hramack did not doubt it, and probably with himself as the first sacrifice. He could not bear facing Teela with the news of the Council’s decision. She would hear of it soon enough from Kaffa. Kaffa would not stop Hramack from seeing Teela, but Chu Li would. He would force her to marry another of his choosing to consolidate his power.

  It was clear that Chu Li desired complete control of every aspect of village life and a return to the days of ignorance and unquestioning obedience to Yarah and Yarah’s earthly representative, the High Priest. He had even cleverly refused to appoint a second priest to prevent a rival to his power. Hramack could not let this happen, but he could think of no way to stop it. More importantly, would Kena abide by the wishes of the Council and give up his quest for Denver Dome? It seemed unlikely. He had watched his father become angrier and more frustrate throughout the meeting. His outbursts did nothing to sway his detractors. Kena, a man of reason, could not understand that frightened men could forgo reason and instead cling to old beliefs. Hramack was sure Kena would not stay, but would he leave Hramack alone to face the wrath of the Council?

  His answer came sooner than he expected. After Chu Li’s shocking proposal, he and his father were dismissed so the Council could hold a closed-door session. Kena stormed out of the building. He followed his father down the trail to the springs, wondering what his father had in mind. He turned abruptly and faced Hramack.

  “I cannot remain in Ningcha and watch all we have fought for over the years crumble into dust. I must attempt to find Denver Dome. I must find the source of our water.” Kena’s vehemence surprised Hramack. “I cannot leave you behind to face the wrath of Chu Li alone. The man is mad with power. Will you come with me?”

  Hramack appreciated his father’s dilemma. He feared for his son’s safety but was reluctant to expose him to the dangers of the journey. Hramack feared more the dangers of remaining behind. “Of course I will go with you, father. I wouldn’t let you go without me. You are still weak from your last journey.”

  Kena wrapped his arms around Hramack, and then smiled at his son. “Good. I am proud of you. I need your courage beside me. Go gather our supplies quietly. We must leave now before Chu Li can enforce his edict. Take only those things that we will need and can carry – weapons, food, medicines, extra clothing. I will fetch water for ten days only. The village can spare no more.”

  Hramack realized that if they did not find the source of the springs, they could not return to the village. They would either become nomads or die in the Burning Lands. He turned to leave and took only a few steps before Madras and Eithan, Madras’ cousin, stepped out of the shadows, one armed with a spear, and one with a crossbow. Madras wore a wicked smile on his face.

  “The Council sent us to enforce your punishment, Kena. You will follow us to your place of confinement.”

  Hramack sighed. They were too late. Chu Li had moved too fast.

  Kena spoke up. “I must see to my plants, or they will be lost. We will go with you later.” He made as if to brush by them.

  “Now,” Madras said, his voice filled with determination. He motioned to Eithan, who raised his spear and pointed it at Kena. Eithan looked ashamed at his actions, but Hramack knew he would obey Madras.

  “Very well,” Kena conceded.

  Hramack felt humiliated as they were marched into an empty silo, stood against the wall, and searched. Madras secured the door behind them with an ancient padlock and chain, almost as old as the village. Until now, there had been no need for locks. Eithan winced and turned away as the wooden door slammed unable to look the pair in the eyes. Only a narrow slit in the door used to check on the amount of food allowed moonlight into the room. Their prison would become unbearable in the heat of the day. Hramack was certain this would please Chu Li.

  Hramack walked around the small room and examined their makeshift prison cell. The roof was made only of thatch, but the walls, composed of finely placed stones, made the ten-meter climb to reach it almost impossible.

  “What do we do, now?” he asked in exasperation. Already the small space was bothering him. How could he last ten days in such confinement?

  “We wait,” Kena said as he slid to the floor with his back against the wall, “and we heal.”

  As he paced the small space of the silo, Hramack’s humiliation and growing uneasiness turned to anger. He became irate at his father’s seeming lack of anger. Finally, tired of pacing, he plopped down opposite his father.

  “Do you have a plan?” he asked gruffly.

  “For what?”

  “To get us out of here,” Hramack snapped.

  Kena seemed unmoved by Hramack’s anger. “Yarah will provide a way.”

  “Yarah! It seems Yarah now works for Chu Li.”

  His father looked up at him sternly. “Do not think such thoughts. Chu Li has forgotten the true meaning of the Teachings of Nuama, but Yarah has not forgotten us.”

  Having no means of venting his frustration and anger, Hramack followed his father’s lead and tried to relax. Even with his eyes closed, he could feel the confined space closing in on him, stealing the air from the room. He fought to drive the sensation from his mind. He made a mental survey of their problems. The village was without water and slowly losing vestiges of civilization. Chu Li had won control of the Council and confined them to prison. He had condemned Hramack to death if either left the village. Teela would wed another, and Kaffa had lost all power in the Council. The problems seemed insurmountable, yet Kena sat calmly as if taking an afternoon nap. Final
ly, the exhaustion incurred by the past few days’ efforts erased the tensions and problems, and he fell asleep with his back against the cool stones of the wall.

  The creak of the door opening woke him with a start. He looked up to see Eithan standing in the doorway with a jug of water and a bowl of bread and fruit. He quietly set them down and turned to leave.

  “Why do you help Chu Li?” Kena asked him. “Surely you see the wisdom in my words?”

  Eithan glanced uneasily at his two wards. Almost in a whisper, he said, “I cannot go against the Council or my cousin’s wishes. If I do, my son will not become apprentice to the metal smith as he wishes. Without a trade, he cannot marry.”

  Hramack knew Eithan’s son, Mica. He was younger than Hramack but intelligent and patient. They had often played together as children. Hramack was sure Mica would apprentice well as a metal smith, but right now, he did not care. His anger boiled up, and he exploded.

  “You sell your village’s life for your son’s future,” he shot at Eithan. “What good is securing Mica’s future if he is dead, if we are all dead?” he was prepared to say more, but the look of condemnation in Kena’s eyes silenced him.

  Kena spoke softly, trying to ignore Hramack’s outburst. “I understand your problem, Eithan, but doing nothing solves nothing.”

  Eithan pondered Kena’s words before replying. “Chu Li promises water soon. The Pools will soon fill. Yarah has promised it,” he ended with hope in his voice.

  Kena merely nodded. “Trust in Yarah, but be wary of Chu Li.”

  “He is the High Priest,” Eithan shot back, shocked by Kena’s words.

  “Yet you can read Yarah’s words in the Teachings. Where does it say the High Priest controls the village? It is not right. The Council rules.”

  “The Council rules now.”

  “Your cousin Madras sells his vote for his sons. You obey him for the sake of your son. What have the others received for their votes? Kaffa’s removal from the Council is because of his opposition to Chu Li. Do you think Kaffa a fool?”

  Quietly, he answered, “No, he is a wise man.”

  “Then speak to Kaffa. Hear his thoughts. Then follow your heart.” Eithan looked as if he were going to speak, but then changed his mind and left, securely locking the door behind him.

  “Will he help?” Hramack asked. Eithan’s troubled face spoke of the conflict within him. Hramack felt a surge of renewed hope.

  “We will see,” Kena answered.

  Day came, and the heat in the close room increased quickly. Its thick stone walls were not constructed to keep out the heat but to keep the crops dry and safe from the animals. If not for the slight upward ventilation caused by the rising heat, the air would have been suffocating. Even so, it was difficult to move about. Hramack lay on the floor and drank sparingly of their water. He knew there would be no more that day. Occasionally, by staring through the slit in the door, he could see men and women, once friends, walking back and forth in the village going about their daily chores. None dared glance his way for fear of Chu Li’s wrath.

  All except Teela.

  He twice caught a glimpse of her standing defiantly near the bridge watching the silo prison. He wished he could talk to her, but of course, the Council had forbidden them visitors. He watched Kaffa, walking more wearily than ever, going to their home, perhaps to water the herbs Kena used in his medicines. The old man looked tired and defeated, each step carefully placed before the next, his staff bearing the greater portion of his weight. Kaffa had spent his entire life caring for the people of Ningcha. Now, he was almost an outcast because of Chu Li. Hramack visualized an enticing image of his hands wrapped around Chu Li’s throat, but could not hold it for long because of the stifling heat.

  He was glad to see the sun slip slowly over the western edge of the canyon on its journey across the once immense Pacific Ocean. The stars twinkled overhead as the light disappeared over the horizon, oblivious to the petty politics and human suffering below. If only he could get out of his prison, even for an hour, just for the freedom to walk about and enjoy the fresh, cooler air of the evening.

  For three days, they remained confined to their prison. Hramack paced the five steps from wall to wall until he had trod a furrow in the dirt floor. Still, Kena seemed undisturbed by their predicament. The days brought renewed strength to his father. Eithan had finally acceded to Hramack’s plea to fetch an ointment from the infirmary for his father’s sunburn. Hramack could see the improvement in his father’s face. His blistered skin peeled and flaked away, revealing pink healthy skin beneath it. His feet, cracked, blistered, and bleeding after his return from the desert, healed more slowly, but by the third day, he began to exercise in the coolness of the evening. He spent the heat of the day sitting quietly with his eyes closed in meditation. Hramack suspected he was dreaming of the Burning Lands and the freedom they offered.

  “Yarah will provide a way,” he replied each time Hramack’s anger and frustration erupted.

  Darkness collapsed around them like a heavy blanket on their forth night of captivity. Hramack longed for a candle or a lamp and one of the books in his father’s library to pass the long hours. A few minutes after Eithan had in his accustomed silence delivered their jug of water, bowl of bread, fruit, and a small piece of dried and salted goat meat, Hramack once again heard the lock moving. When the door opened, he was surprised to see Kaffa.

  “I cannot allow such things to happen in Yarah’s name,” Kaffa said. “You must flee, now, tonight.” He turned and walked off into the night.

  “Where did you get the key?” Kena asked.

  They heard his whispered response from the shadows. “Eithan spoke to me as you asked. He gave me the key.” Then he was gone.

  “Come, quickly but quietly,” Kena whispered to Hramack. “I will fetch water. You gather our supplies.”

  Kena left for the cisterns, using the shadows to conceal his movements He crouched low as he sprinted across the bridge. Hramack went to their home to collect their packs without alerting anyone who might have been watching. It took only fifteen minutes to fill the packs with all the food and supplies they could each carry. The packs were heavy, but they would become dangerously lighter with each passing day. He waited on the path for his father’s return. Kaffa came upon him without warning. The old man’s silent tread constantly amazed him.

  “I spoke with your father, and I ask only that you take care and return quickly. I showed your father a secret path few know about. Chu Li has ordered all others closely watched. Roagneau stands guard above the canyon rim. He has moved quickly. For years, we have survived because of the annual return of the springs. The legends of our arrival here are only partially true.” He reached into his robe and withdrew a tightly bound book, words etched onto thin metal leaves. The book was extremely old, an artifact from the Ancient Days.

  “Here is the true account of the exodus from Denver Dome after its fall and the journey to Ningcha in Arun Kane’s own words. Perhaps it will guide you in your quest. Remember, if you are caught, you will be put to death.” Kaffa presented the volume to Hramack and embraced him. “Go with Yarah, son of Kena.” With those last words, he turned and left, looking wearier than Hramack had ever seen him before.

  Soon after, Kena returned with two large water skins and more supplies and weapons.

  “I see you have said your farewells to Kaffa.” He nodded at the book in Hramack’s hand. “Kaffa told me he was giving us something to help. Is that it?”

  Hramack nodded as he placed the book inside his pack. He wanted more than anything to see Teela, but he knew it would be better if he did not. He was not sure he could leave if she asked him to stay. His heart felt tight, stretched in two directions. His duty lay with his father, but his love was rooted in Teela. He feared leaving her at the mercy of the High Priest, though, in reality, he could do little for her now. He swore to return to her quickly.

  To his surprise, Kena led him along the ascending path to the mouth of
the springs rather than the trail to the rim of the canyon. The springs poured their nourishing waters from a crack in the cliff face high above the canyon floor. At least it did when the springs were running. Now, the crack looked like a sad, twisted mouth in the darkness above them. The path led to a small ledge used for the ceremonial collection of the first jug of water each time the springs burst forth. An intricate system of aqueducts and stone pipes collected the water and carried it to the cisterns dug into the rock of the cliff side where the village lay.

  Now, the aqueducts were bone dry.

  Kena spoke softly as they walked. “Kaffa told me to crawl through the mouth of the springs, and I would find a larger cavern beyond. A tunnel travels northward for kilometers under the Burning Lands. When the water runs, it is impassable. Kaffa once followed the tunnel for several days.” He smiled at Hramack’s look of astonishment. “This was long ago when he was young. Did you think he was always old?” Kena continued, “It has been years. Much could have changed. He said there were several places where the sky was visible from the tunnel. We should be able to gain access to the surface through one of these openings many kilometers from here. The Council will not know what has happened to us until it is too late. They will not be able to track us, but they will search for us nevertheless. We must go now. I brought torches and the last electric lanterns and power cells. They should see us through.”

  Hramack hoped so. He did not relish the idea of stumbling around blindly in a dark tunnel beneath the earth.

  “Here,” Kena said, pulling Hramack’s floppy, sweat stained, linen hat out of his pack and placing it on his son’s head. “You will need this. We go deep into the Burning Lands.” Kena donned his own hat, letting the cloth sunscreen attached to the back brim drape over his shoulders.