Early the next morning, before the sun even rose, I set out from Tarmon Farrin. Drue accompanied me down the steep pass to the sea and bid me farewell. I will never forget the warm glow in her eyes, a look of fondness and concern. Her gaze reminded me of my mother and I swallowed hard as I turned away and pushed off from shore.
When I broke through the safety of the mist that surrounded Tarmon, the familiar vicious wind pummeled me and I set myself to fight my way through it. My journey across the violent waters of Talulah Sea was as lonely, taxing and exhausting as I’d anticipated. Late afternoon I finally made it home to Akoni and was greeted by my fellow warriors eager to assist me to Ngangi’s hut. Everyone I met looked eager for information.
As I’ve already chronicled on the parchment I’ve been given by Ngangi, I couldn’t speak when the leadership of my farrin initially questioned me about Tarmon Farrin.
After two days I still couldn’t speak and Ngangi began to lose patience with me. Even his frustration couldn’t seem to change my inarticulate state. He asked me if I’d chronicled some of what I witnessed and I responded with a nod. Perhaps I shouldn’t have revealed that to him because the next day he placed my life in danger. It would be easy for him to enter my hut and take my writings. With my experience documented, he didn’t need me around anymore to tell him what I’d seen on Tarmon.
On the third day, the clan went to war. We left before the first light of dawn, rowing hard through the rough waters, although with so many warriors contributing with oars, we progressed quickly. As Ngangi promised, I was one of the first boats to make landfall on Guion Farrin. He’d threatened to place me on the front line of the upcoming battle and he kept his word. I think he was afraid of me, of my knowledge.
Guion Farrin was located two farrins over from ours and their crime was thievery against our Akoni Farrin. We landed a good distance from where their settlement was located, near where the sand of their shore and their mountain range collided. After hiding our vessels in an inlet and securing them, the first warrior group that I was part of scaled the steep rock toward the top.
Half an hour later we reached the crest, spanned the distance to where Guion’s guard tower is located and killed the man with a knife thrown cleanly through the back of his head. There’d be no warning sent to the settlement below of our impending attack.
The seven of us used the ropes that descended from this summit to the sand below and rappelled down quickly. Our instructions were to create the initial panic and pandemonium in the settlement, hopefully sending their warriors into hysteria. We were to attack on seven different sides, giving the illusion that they were surrounded. It was a risky move. Each one of us would be alone and attacking from diverse places. I was prepared to die but also determined not to. A lone warrior didn’t really stand a chance of making it out alive but I was hopeful that luck would be on my side.
We had a quick discussion on where each of us should attack from and then we set out. I ran to the far side of the settlement, through the rock fissures that somewhat hid me. With the constant wind whipping up the sand like a cloud around me, it wasn’t difficult staying obscured.
When I reached the place I was assigned, I hid behind a large rock and waited for the signal. A warrior by the name of Hedy was to release the sound, a ram’s horn that he carried on a rope tied to his belt. He stayed close to where we descended on ropes down the rock face. As I waited, I thought of the other vessels waiting farther out at sea. When the sound of the horn reached them they would row quickly toward shore and join the battle.
I prepared my weapons, a knife in each hand, my sword in my sheath at my waist and my quiver of arrows attached securely to my back with my bow over my shoulder. I even had a few pistols hidden in my leather clothing and a plethora of throwing knives in various locations.
Through the whistling wind; I heard the blast of the ram’s horn. I waited a few moments more and then moved as though my feet could fly. Running with the speed of the stiff breeze, I ran into Guion settlement, my weapons hurtling from my grasp and hitting the mark as the clan members came rushing from their dwellings. Fear glowed from some eyes before my weapon took their light out and their bodies fell. Other’s emerged in anger, roaring their fury as they prepared to shoot me down. I dodged each attempt and cut them down easily. I was war ready and they were caught off guard as they roused themselves to fight.
I could hear the settlement rising to life as the threat of death invaded on all sides. The sounds of battle slowly increased as my fellow warriors from their positions closed in. Cries of distress and bellows of fury surged together as the settlement grew aware of what was transpiring. Many were cut down before they could even react.
I made myself a moving target, surrounded by enemy forces and weapons. The chance of being shot down increased dramatically as I pushed my way farther and farther into the settlement. All it would take was someone who had a roof access to ascend to the top of their dwelling and wait for me to pass by. But I didn’t focus on that possibility. It would cause me to freeze up and would be sure to be my undoing.
My whole body was consumed with bloodlust, my eyes single focused on the next Guion clan member to kill. There were many to choose from. It was clear that they had not been anticipating the stealthy attack and it seemed like child’s play to me as I killed one after another. Blood splattered the dwellings, flowed easily and the ground drank up the crimson liquid lustily.
In the distance I could hear the typical Akoni Warrior battle cry rise from the shore. My fellow clan members had arrived and soon we’d make an end to this Guion Settlement and its clan members.
Within minutes my other clan warriors reached the huts and the real battle ensued. The cries of death and wounding compounded in the air around me. Tilly and Viveka, my closest friends, fought their way toward me and the three of us advanced forward with deadly accuracy.
A war cry erupted to one side as a line of Guion warriors ran toward us. They must have retreated to the outskirts, regrouped and charged as a unit. Others of our Akoni warriors ran to join us as the new unexpected threat approached.
I removed my sword as they came and began to cut them down – one by one. Tilly and Viveka fought expertly to either side. I noticed Boyana to the left, her sword slicing skillfully as she faced off with another seasoned warrior. In my peripheral vision I noticed Tilly move back and leave the battle. I wondered what she had in mind as I braced for a young Guion warrior rushing me. I sidestepped quickly and plunged my sword into the young women’s side. She stumbled and cried out, swiping her sword sideways in an attempt to cut off my feet at the ankles. I jumped just in time, swiveled my sword and plunged it down through her heart until it hit the sand beneath. Her hands fell limp at her side and the light left her eyes.
The rush of warriors had dissipated, their bodies lying crumpled on the dusty soil, although some of my fellow Akoni warriors were still in the throws of battle. I glanced over and noticed Tilly hiding behind a hut, her bow stretched taut, the arrow pointed at Boyana, who was still parlaying with the enemy. I was tempted to speak out, stop Tilly from such a perilous choice but the arrow released and I watched Boyana fall as her life was taken. Fortunately Tilly also made a quick end to the Guion warrior. Both lay still, the Guion warrior’s arms overlaying Boyana’s, their blood intermingling together in the sandy soil.
Suddenly Ngangi entered the area, saw his dead coverling and roared in fury. He turned, looked at me and asked, “Where’s the leader?”
I pointed to where I suspected the Guion Clan was shielding him, in the largest dwelling of the settlement, although there was no proof he was still in there. He was probably on the run by now. It was tradition on our farrin for our leader to retain the right to kill an enemy leader during war. Things didn’t always progress as planned but, when it was possible, Ngangi delivered the final humiliating blow to the enemy farrin.
I watched as Ngangi strode off to find the man.
“How are you holding up?” asked Viveka beside me, her face splattered in blood.
“Good. We’re not done yet.” That’s the first I’d spoken since my return from Tarmon but I didn’t even take note of it at the time. I was too engrossed in the war.
“I don’t see any more of the Guion clan members.”
“Some are probably hiding.” I was eager to get back to killing. My whole body felt charged with desire, my throwing hand shaking in anticipation.
Viveka said, “I was glad to see you alive. I didn’t know if you’d survive the initial charge.”
Tilly came to join us. I gave her an accusing glare.
Tilly said, “I told you I’d do it.”
I shook my head and glanced around for any enemy movement. “We should keep moving. We’re a target standing here.” I moved farther into the settlement, opening hut doors to see if anyone was hiding. There were dead bodies everywhere and some of our own littered the sand. We’d lost some. I kept count of our losses as I searched the houses. There were still skirmishes around. I could hear the clash of swords, the cries of pain and the bellow of determined warriors.
Tilly and Viveka kept pace with me as we made a speedy search of the houses closest to us. Coming around a corner I noticed Ngangi approaching, his face furious and hate shining from his eyes. He seemed irate that I was still living. Maybe his coverling’s death was drawing out his darker side. I just happened to be available to dump on. Ahiga flanked Ngangi, his leather coat stained with dark crimson and some drops of blood clinging to his beard.
“Help me look for him!” Ngangi demanded.
I nodded and followed him, Tilly and Viveka taking up the rear.
Suddenly I heard a familiar sound and looked up. An unusual clear spot opened up in the dust filled air above us, revealing a hint of blue sky. I would have missed his passing if I hadn’t lifted my eyes to the sky. A shadow fell as the rough, scaly underbelly of a Noble One flitted above the clearing. The clear blue vanished quickly as dark clouds rushed to close it again. At that moment I noticed a glint of light flash from above and fly toward me, except it veered to my left and just a few steps ahead. Ngangi, walking ahead of me, suddenly stopped in his tracks and I stared wide eyed at the end of an arrow extending from his back. He dropped to his knees, gasped in shock and fell forward, his face hitting the sand as his life ended.
Ahiga swore and let out an unearthly roar as he fell to the sand beside Ngangi. I and my friends stopped cold and stared at our fallen leader. None of us had expected this and were rendered speechless at the turn of events. We’d clearly won the war. I’d crunched the numbers of the dead. But now our leader was dead, a clear insult to our clan and a sign of weakness on our part.
I was determined to find Guion’s leader and kill him myself. That was the only we’d be able to save face and be counted the victor in this skirmish.
I hurried away, leaving the rest behind to mourn our leader. Running at full thrust, I passed the huts quickly and ran on toward the rock face where I first arrived. Cutting sideways I followed the rock wall in search of a cave or tunnel. There were a few depressions in the stone and I slowed at each one and strained to listen for any noise. Up ahead some dried brush hugged the vertical slate rise. I stopped and pulled at the shriveled plants and they easily gave way. I began to see a dark cavity beyond and stopped removing the desiccated, thistle-like stalks. Squeezing inside, I cautiously proceeded and could faintly make out some heavy breathing up ahead.
Taking my bow from my shoulder, I skirted one wall and stayed tight to it. Waiting until my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I withdrew an arrow and armed my bow. Drawing it taut, I let it fly. The familiar thud of arrow hitting flesh and an escape of air from someone’s lips echoed back to me. Quickly I ran to the far side of the dark cave and found the crumpled body. I removed the arrow and returned it to my quiver. Dragging the body toward the opening, I dropped the man toward the sandy ground below the cave entrance. The dead weight thudded and a pouf of sand dispersed around it.
I lowered myself to the sand and studied his face. I was sure I’d killed the clan leader and a shot of pride coursed through me. Grabbing hold of his leather coat, I dragged his hide toward the village huts. As I entered the edge of the village, shocked looks filled every Akoni Warrior as they realized what I’d done, that I was the one who killed Guion’s leader. Respect shone from their eyes, something I had not been anticipating. I simply did what needed doing.
Not long after that my fellow clan warriors finished up the job. We gathered up all the Guion clan members still alive, killed the men, branded the women, sixteen and older, and kept alive the children five years and younger. The thirteen women still alive would eventually become coverlings or breeders for the men of our farrin and the children would be acclimated into our numbers, would become ours to train to increase our army.
After ravaging the stockpile of food, leather and whatever we thought we could use from Guion land mass, we got into our vessels and headed home.
~~~~~
My successful visit to Tarman, my safe return, my survival through the war and Ngangi’s unforeseen death brought more changes than what I could have imagined.
Two weeks passed since I had the dream which summoned me to Tarmon Farrin and so much has transpired during that time.
A few days after the war, the members of the Akoni CROP, Clan Ring Of Power, at least those who survived the battle, met and discussed who would take over the leadership of our clan. Their vote was unanimous. I was chosen and the whole clan approved of the choice. They all revered me; I saw it in their eyes. I was the only living person who had ever been summoned to Tarmon, went to visit the mystery farrin and returned alive.
Although I shared only a minuscule amount of my experience while on Tarmon it was enough to gain the respect of everyone who heard of it. I, a woman, became the leader of the strongest, most powerful farrin clan in any direction.
If it hadn’t been for the assistance from Tarmon, the Noble One and its rider, during the war, I’d still be a lowly Akoni warrior. Ngangi would have seen to that. His jealousy and desire for domination would not have allowed him to promote me in any way. He may have even demoted me to show me who was in control.
But now the whole clan has elevated me. At first I was dumbfounded and unsure I even wanted the position. The title came with responsibility. Protecting, disciplining and keeping the clan members in line sounded like a great deal of work to me. And then there’s the charge from Tarmon, the words Towsaj spoke. The invisible presence told me I’d be the catalyst for change. I had no idea what that meant and it frightened me somewhat. I wasn’t sure I wanted revision in my clan but I was suddenly in a position to make that happen.
Here I am, at the start of a path that could bring modification to our farrin and to our clan. I don’t know how to do it or where to start. I’m counting on some guidance from Tarmon. Perhaps change is possible after all. I don’t have to do it alone. I know I have the backing of Towsaj and feel suddenly stronger, braver somehow.
Also, Ahiga has given me much attention the last few days. If I’m not mistaken, I think he’s interested in more than a working relationship. I don’t know how to process this new development. I haven’t forgotten what he did for me in protecting me from Boyana’s wrath. Now being the leader, perhaps I could bear to be covered by a man. Having a man as a partner instead of him lording it over me would make me feel less impotent. He suggested a coupling which sounds more like a union that a covering and I like the sound of that, although having children still seems abhorrent to me. I will have a decision to make.
I allowed Ahiga to remain in his position of power as part of the clan leadership. I also inducted my friends, Viveka and Tilly, into the CROP group, the Clan Ring Of Power. Empowering the women of my clan is one of my goals.
That’s enough for now. I’m done with chronicling my adventures and it’s time to put the parchment paper and quill pen away. Maybe I’ll return to documenting things after I’ve done some good for my farrin. Now it’s time to get busy and work for the good of my people.
Xiomara
Akoni Clan High Leader
The Ongoing Tale of DWARKAA’S DOMAIN Continues in:
