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The nation Chapter 26
As the darkness wrapped itself around the clearing, Harden was finding the whole scene very overwhelming. His vision quest was still fresh in his memory. The fires constantly shifting light, the music and now the dancers, were making Harden nauseous again. Davyn lay on the platform behind the dancers, who had an area free of obstacles to dance, Harden could see the torches that marked the boundary behind the platform. The sights and sounds still driving deep into the souls of The People.When the dancing was done the music also slowed to a dirge. The drums thumped and vibrated in a deep low pitch that was perfect for the next performance. The flute played a mellow harmony as Sokonan stepped into the clearing that the dancers used. She started to sing a sweet melody in the old tongue, few of The People there knew the words or their meaning, but the intention in the song was obvious. Sokonan was singing the same song that the ancients sung after their dead. For the people who didn’t kno
The nation Chapter 27
“Have you spoken with Erek lately?” His voice was unsure now.“No, why?”“Well, he sounded strange at the council meeting. He said, I dunno, he just sounded strange. Like I have never heard him before.”“Did he embarrass you?” Fire again from Lilly, this time it was in her voice.“No, no, he did make a bit of a scene though.” Rog remembered how the whole meeting screeched to a halt after Erek spoke.“I dunno why you don’t let him live on his own, he is twenty-eight winters...”Erek walked in, interrupting Lilly in mid-sentence.“Good evening step-mother, father. I’ll be heading to bed; it has been exhausting the last few days with all of the travel and work.”Erek walked right passed his parents, he went straight to his bed pulling the curtain down for privacy. Lilly put her hand to her mouth, she had goose flesh marching up and down her spine.“You can put your hand down now, that is the same thing he did at the meeting. I have no idea,” Rog said shaking his head, “none, I don’t know
The nation Chapter 28
Callum was lined up on the opposite side of Vardon Rig and he was nervous. His hands were sweating so bad, he wouldn’t be surprised if they dripped onto the ground. Vardon did not talk bad like some of the players did, they did that to distract their opponents, keeping them off of their game. What Vardon was doing was worse, he was staring at Callum, staring right into his eyes, it made the younger man self-conscious. He began to worry he would screw up right away and be taken out of the game. Then the judge threw the ball up in the air and the crowd screamed. Callum got ran over by Vardon, it took him a second to get up, but by then Vardon was running towards his keeper.Marx watched from the sideline with the other spectators, she had her eyes on the men. Erek was out there looking big and scrumptious, Temple was always delectable, Vardon had his shirt on but that would come off soon, she thought. Then she thought, I hope I’m not drooling, and wiped her mouth as nonchalantly as she
The nation Chapter 29
“Watch the late man!” Coach bellowed, no one heard him, “watch the God’s damned trailer...” he screamed.Erek was back on defense in his proper position as left roamer. He heard Coach the second time. Erek saw Vardon running like some unnatural creature, one single thought on his mind, kill. Or rather score. Then the play slowed down, Erek could see the two roamers from Eagle company, one with the ball and the other one causing havoc so the first player could advance the ball. Instantly, Erek knew it was a distraction, Vardon was the intended target all along. So Erek cheated out a little, staying with the play but ready for a back pass to the trailing roamer.Then the ball carrier glanced quickly back to see where his trailer was. Vardon was there and ready to snipe the ball right between the keepers padded legs. The keeper sewed two large and long pillows to cover and protect his legs from considerable damage. Being the main target and all. As Erek watched, the ball carrier, a shift
The nation Chapter 30
Callum was skilled with a bow, and had proven it recently on successful hunting trips, but he was still a child in his heart. Now though, he was feeling something inside, a flame deep in his belly was a flicker, now it grew into a blazing fire.“Ok,” Coach said, seeing something in Callum’s eyes, “ok my boy, sit and rest for your next shift.Callum sat next to Kaya, she was sweating and breathing heavy, they watched the game continue. The action was intense and entertaining, but the score didn’t change.“This could be a long game.” Ossie said to Kaya, who nodded.Callum sat quietly, he was focused on the game and the new feeling in his belly, he gripped his stick tight wringing it in his hands. I will score the next goal, he thought.The game continued with an exhausting pace. The warrior’s laid everything out on the field, running till fatigue made them useless, then they would rest. Each team had chances to score, the Eagles were better tactically but the Badgers never quit attitude
The nation Chapter 31
Erek stood facing Indra when she abruptly turned back. He had his arm out and his hand open towards her, as if he expected her to take it. She just stared at him, not knowing what to do, the moment they were stuck in seemed to last for a very long time. Then Indra fled out the door. Erek watched as she left, standing with his hand out, he wanted to go after her but then that would be too suspicious.When Rognvald heard Erek call Indra’s name, he turned around to see what was happening. Indra looked upset; she was leaving quickly heading towards the door. Erek was standing with a pleading look on his face, then Indra turned, and Rog got a good look at her face. There was something there that he could not guess, it puzzled him as Indra turned back and fled out the door.Sokonan watched the whole scene with a distant but focused attention, something was happening with Indrasena. But what, that was the question? And why was Erek looking after her? Sokonan had heard rumors about Lady Utpah
The nation Chapter 32
Lilly kept brushing her hair, first she was thinking about Erek and now she was thinking about Indra. Indrasena, she thought, Lady Utpahl, who did she think she was? She continued brushing her hair with more force than necessary, nearly pulling it out in large clumps. What in the world was happening with Erek? First, he gets smart and acts like a proper man, not that he was improper before. It’s just that Erek was stupid, and everyone knew it, simple Erek, she thought. Now though, his speech was articulate, and he was thoughtful to everyone, even Lilly. Why was, or better yet how can Erek suddenly be smarter?Now Rognvald was talking about Indrasena, how Lilly despised Indra, she had never liked lady Utpahl’s pretentious demeanor. Lilly had always thought better of herself; she was not below anyone especially not Indrasena. She always had to smile and pretend to enjoy Indra’s company; she loathed her company. Always preaching about helping others and being moral. Lilly had been wonder
The nation Chapter 33
“I am as well as can be. How are you young Erek, you appear...” the man paused to look at Erek, “mature.” He finished after carefully choosing the right word.“Thank you, Aurelius, I am well, and I feel wonderful.” Erek smiled.That eroded Aurelius’ placid face, his eyes widened, and his cheeks rose up just a touch below a smile. And then he cocked his head.“Well said young Erek, well said.” The old man nodded as the two walked past him, feeling almost proud that Erek knew his name as if the old man helped Erek to heal somehow.In the past, the Erek everyone knew would have to ask their names two or three times a day, each and every day. He was just part of the village culture that way. Not that Erek was the village idiot or anything equivalent, he was more a part of village life than that. His presence and behavior were a part of the culture, like the changing of seasons or the sun rising in the east was part of nature, he was normal and reliable.Erek nodded to Aurelius as he passe