5. Elswhere
In the deep jungle of the Emerald Mountains a small group was walking. In the back of the group Nurun holds them safe from any predator trying to atack from behind. Befor him were the High Shaman Santulan and his apprentice Fulan. In the front Anisa, Nuruns´wife, and their youngest son Barum had the lead to find the best way through the dense mass of plants. He and his wife were experienced Hunters and their son, even if not long awakened yet, had planty of experience too. Even so it was a dangerous journey as they moved far away from known paths and the hunting grounds they were used too.
The mountain tribes, even if they still lived in harmony with nature, were not as close to it as they had been in the past. His family was closer than most as they belonged to the Hunters and Gatherers of the tribe, but they too had never been that far away from their known areas befor. Santulan and his apprentis were at least used to being in the wild, as you could expect from a Shaman bound to the Goddess Alamiah.
More than a week ago the High Shaman had stood at his door and asked for Nuruns help. It had never been a question for him whether he would give it to him. Santulan was not only an old friend, but there was also a lifedept between them. Even if Santulan would never bring it up, Nurun would never forget the endless hours the Shaman had laboured to save Anisas’ life, as the birth of their first child got difficult. He owed his friend the life of his wife, his firstborne and so every child they had after.
So, as Santulan had told him that he had a vision of his Godess and had to travel deep into the jungle far from any settlement, he had just nodded. His wife thought like him and Barum just was excited. Which young one wouldn´t be, to go on a journey because of a vision from a Godess. There were so many tales that started like this. He was too old and too experienced to give too much on these tales, but he had his spear and blowpipe. He had his experience and his capable wife. He didn´t fear the jungle. The parts they travelled though were maybe unknown to him, but they had no more dangers as those parts he had hunted in many years. So, they would keep Santulan safe, and the High Shaman would show them the way. In the end it was so simple and easy. Nurun liked things simple and easy.
Later, they had just cleared a space for their night’s rest, he was building a fireplace while his wife and son were hunting their meal. He had part of his attention on their sourrounding part on Santulan and Fulan. The jungle didn´t let a lapse of attentiveness unpunished. To many dangers lurk in it´s endless green that blocked your sight after just a few steps. Fulan was setting up the carfully carved Totems that would scare away smaller dangers and warn them of the closeness of the more powerfull ones. Santulan carfully monitored the work of his apprentice and used the moment to teach him in a soft quiet tone.
After a while Santulan came to the now burning small fire, sat down beside him and said: “As always you amaze me my old friend. I came to you asking for help and you just gave me what I needed. You didn´t ask a single question then, and neither you nor your family asked one since then.”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Nurun just shrughs his shoulders: “What is there to ask? You are family to me and mine. You needed us and so we are here. Why should I ask about more? The details are between the Godess and you. I´m just a simple Hunter I don´t walk on the same paths as you. You said you know where to go and I will keep you safe on this journey. If there was more to it, if you would need more help than I can give I´m sure you would have asked for it. And I´m sure the tribe had given you more help if it would been needed.”
Santulan laught softly: “Oh how I wish more people would have a clear and trusting look on the world like you, my friend. It would mean so much less bickering and more time for the important things.” Arisa and Barum came back at this moment a few birds as their bounty in hand. As they sat down, they all helped to prepare them. Satulan spoke again: “Even if you all were ready to help without any questions, I think I should tell you a little more. And it´s just a little, as I myselfe don´t know so little about why we are on this journey.” With tose words he had the attention of all four of hus companions. “I had a Vision from Alamiah, as you all already know. I feel a pulling on my spirit. Pulling me forward to a goal I will only know when I´m there. What awaits me there is unclear, but the vision told from injustis done to a lost soul. I have thought a lot about the pieces the vision has shown me, and I think we are on our way to bringing someone that is lost back in the cradle of the community. Someone that has lost a lot and endured a lot. That person might seem nearly feral or insane. Lost in more than one way, but what got them in their situation wasn´t their fault. What was done to them must have created an unbalance, and so Alamiah, the Balance of the natural way, the Lady of the forrest sent me to bring balance by helping them.” Santulan looked each of them solemly in the eyes. “I can only speculate, of cource. But I feel deep in myselfe, that we are on a mission of rescue, of help!”
Somewhere else, a place no mortal could sense or find, there was a lot of dicussion and arguing between Gods and Godesses. Some called it a war council. Some argued they had first to argue if they should call in a war council.
A lot of the present didn´t like each other. Some even hated one or more of the others. A few were desinterested. Some where very interessted but set on waiting and carfully watching when or if it matched their own plans to partake in the struggle.
They all were only of the same opinion, that the actions of the southern empire had to be answered. But the how, if, when and every other detail there was no consent in sight.
A few where here, but didn´t wanted to partake in the discussion. Every single one had their own reason for that, of course. They were still here, as they didn´t wanted to miss anything. They were around, alone or in little groups, watching and listening. One of these groups was the three sisters.
“They will never find any commen ground. As always.” Balance said bored. “At the end the mortals will have made their aliances and treatys long before they are half through their arguments.”
“And as always, they will claim it was all in their will. Then armies will march south to crush the Empire who´s acended emperore had the guts to declare himself a God.” The Lady of the Harvest answered sadly. “And once again so many inocent on both sides will die. For the hybris of a few.”
“Yes, isn´t it fabulous?” The Mother of Beasts nearly shouted happily. “Look at them barking, growling and snapping at each other’s heals. And the blood spilt by the mortals will fertilize greatness and the ascendence of the few most powerfull, as it should be. I can´t wait.”