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Aleytys stepped back and climbed once more into the caravan. Her face
composed in a forbidding mask, one hand touching the speaker the other hanging
free at her side, she swept the stunned and silent crowd with cold blue-green
eyes. You have wronged the innocent, people of Wahi-Po. Those of you who had
reason to resent the boy let your prejudice blind you and the rest are no
better, following blindly the lead of their fellows. And you, elders of the
Kauna, you didn t stay to hear the boy, but condemned him to a lingering death
and went placidly back to your wallows. Loahn. Join me here.
Loahn stepped through the curtains and stood behind her, facing the chastened
Kauna.
You owe him reparation, elders of Wahi-Po. First, you will return to him his
birthright, his place in the community of Wahi-Po and his father s holdings.
Yes?
Firstman Pukili tightened his fingers around the staff until the bones of his
hands stood out in high relief. Reluctantly he bowed his head, then
straightened. Mele. Sound the summoning.
The big woman dipped her head in curt response. Freeing the rope from the
cleat she hauled powerfully on it. Once-twice. Once-twice. Once-twice. The
great bell rang out in the thrice repeated double note that summoned the
people of Wahi-Po to meeting with the Kauna. After settling the feather cloak
until it hung unruffled over her broad shoulders, Mele stepped back to her
place behind Firstman.
Be it heard. Firstman Pukili s voice rose in a high chant. He knocked the
butt of the staff three times on the pavement. Be it heard. With the others
trailing wordlessly behind, their staffs hitting solidly on the pavement in
unison with his, Firstman circled the two caravans, repeating again and again
the formal call. Too frightened to indulge his curiosity about the others in
this mis-mated group who had come to disturb his peace, he hurried with as
much dignity as possible through the obligatory round and stopped when he
faced Aleytys once more. A final time he beat his staff against the black and
white tiles, waited while the others one by one signified their assent by
echoing his action, then continued with his chant.
Be it known. Loahn, son of Arahn father clan Hawk son of Selura mother clan
Moon, wrongfully accused and cast out from home and birthright, we call you
home to your people. We say to you we are under the frown of Lakoe-heai. We
plead with you to forgive us, to take the cloud from us. Son of Arahn, stand
in the clan hall of your father s house, master of men and beasts, master of
the land in your father s holding. Pukili licked his lips eyes fixed on
Loahn s expressionless face.
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That is not enough. Aleytys spoke softly, her words bringing a sickly smile
to Pukili s face. For one month, Loahn son of Arahn hungered with none to
give him food or warmth. He thirsted but could only steal a mouthful of water
deep in the protection of night. When I came upon him, led to him by the will
of the Lakoe-heai, he was bones wrapped in sunburnt skin, dying from a
festering wound, the stump of a broken arrow protruding from his back. Elders
of the Kauna, I hold you at cost for these things. One month it was. Times
Three. Three stallions of the finest. Three brood mares in foal. Three times
three pieces of gold. She stroked the soft fur of the speaker. You who sent
me to the boy, is that sufficient?
The small one rubbed himself blissfully against her hand. Opening translucent
eyelids, he swung eyes filled with a malicious glee over the people. Barely,
sister. Barely. And the giving better be free-handed and ungrudging. We hate a
cheerless giver. He snuggled back against her head and closed his eyes.
Aleytys nodded to the Kauna. You hear?
Pukili lowered his eyes. We hear, si a gikena.
It will be done?
It will be done. He banged his staff in official assent and reluctantly the
others of the Kauna followed his example.
Good.
The woman Riyda. What do we do with her? Pukili jabbed his staff in her
ribs as she crouched in a miserable heap at his feet.
Aleytys frowned, aware that whatever she did or said, she had already
destroyed a person. Now that it was too late, the result of her interference
gave her a sick, dirty feeling. Somehow there must have been a better way to
do this, a way of healing& healing& .
She wheeled and caught hold of Loahn s arm. You re the injured here, it s
for you to say. Do you want her cast out as you were?
The boy watched the shaking huddled form, eyes implacable. Then he shrugged.
I serve you, si a gikena. But I don t want that one making more trouble for
me.
I cured your body, Loahn. If I can purge her soul, will you accept her into
your house?
She was my father s wife. What th hell, she s only a woman. Do what you
want, si a gikena. Looking past his stepmother, he grinned at his
half-brothers standing beside the Kauna, fifteen-year-old Keoki hiding his
fear and uncertainty behind a scowl, Pima who was fourteen struggling to
imitate him, Moke the youngest smiling shyly at him.
Loahn jumped down and faced Pukili. My brothers had nothing to do with this
lie, he told the Firstman. They are welcome in my house if they wish to
return. Ignoring Riyda he smiled at the boys. Keoki, I need you, brother.
Will you come? He held out his hands. We were never bad friends.
Ignoring his mother as Loahn had, Keoki stepped up to his brother, hesitated
a minute, then thrust his hands out with a wide grin that transformed his
heavy sullen face. They grasped forearms, then hugged, laughing with a touch
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of hysteria. Pima and Moke ran to them and joined the happy wrestling match
that ensued.
Keoki broke away and quieted his brothers. He knelt before Loahn and held out
his hands palms pressed together. I give you service, Elder brother.
Pima and Moke knelt in their turn, performing the same simple ritual.
Loahn. He walked to the caravan and looked up at her, wondering what she
wanted. Take your brothers home, my friend. Leyilli can drive you.
I understand, si a gikena. We will set aside rooms for you there.
You know our requirements. She hesitated. Loahn, I may be bringing Riyda
back with me. I m not sure, but make arrangements in case. She swung down
beside him, touched his arm affectionately, then walked back to the other
caravan taking short nervous steps, reluctant to face Maissa. For the first
time she really understood what Stavver had meant when he said he didn t trust
Maissa. Damn this walking on eggs, she thought. She stopped and smiled
pleasantly up at the unreadable mask turned to her. Leyilli, I would be
pleased if you would take the brothers to their home.
Malice glinting in her eyes, Maissa smiled back at her, enjoying her
discomfort. Of course, si a gikena. Her hands tightened on the reins and
Aleytys winced. Maissa chuckled. She handed the reins to Kale. My house is
theirs, she said demurely.
Aleytys watched as Kale turned the horses and drove away, two young faces
lively with curiosity peering at her through the back curtain. When they
disappeared out the gate, she moved silently to Riyda and knelt beside her.
The dark woman lifted a haggard face. Even my own sons.
You drove them away. The hate in you has soured things for you. If you
change that, the rest will change. Aleytys felt the curious crowd pushing in
around her, staring down at the broken woman with the cruel enjoyment of that
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