Meanwhile outside the farm within the hunting grounds Yote and Yetzan walk along the hidden path away from the placed traps. Sauntering slowly along as they look around for any significant clues. Yetzan is the first to break the silence, “ Yote do you think I’ve raised my unda properly?” Yote looks aside at first somewhat uncomfortable with the question. Pausing he thinks for a moment, “ oi don’t fink so my chief, why do ask? Do yew fink so?” He shrugs placing one hand inside the other rubbing them together awaiting a response. Yetzan exhales heavily, “ I’m just not sure what to think anymore. I simply cannot see Natutu taking on my role any time soon.” Yote replies, “ Ahh yes oi see wot it is yew are getting at. Deeze fings can jus take time den.” Yetzan scoffs answering, “ he’s had more than enough time to prepare!” As he rips the leaves from a tree branch. Holding them in front of himself and letting go as they fall down spreading out. The wind carries them off in a forward direction. Yetzan smells the air looking around cautiously. Yote answers conniving, “ well den wot is it dat yew propose? Would yew ravah someone else take de title of chief?” Yetzan considers the thought, pouting his lips and darting his eyes back and forth he thinks muttering to himself. “ They’d have to be strong, and quick witted...” as Yote nods in agreement becoming ever more excited. “ Yes... an dey would ave to know de village and all it’s people den.” Yetzan nods replying, “ good point. You know there’s only one person who I know fits the description and could do the job just as well as me.” Looking down at Yote who grins from ear to ear awaiting the words he thought he may never hear. Yetzan content with his decision says, “ you know old friend I never thought I would do this. I never thought it would come to this.” Yote’s inner emotions bursting with sheer excitement. His eyes bulging so hard they struggle to stay in the sockets. Yetzan pats Yote on the back as he says, “ thank you Yote, you have been a real help. This is why I know I can trust you.” Yote becoming bashful his cheeks red, at a loss for words he is only able to come up with, “ its nuffing really.” Yetzan concludes, “ after we find these two dhanda’s I will make the announcement this narctos, just after the sunji settles and the Lunis shines upon up.” Yote nods with elation, “ yes my chief.” Yetzan then inquires, “ do you notice anything about the hunting ground? Anything at all?” Yote looks around. Noticing all the traps still in place, no footprints in the mud, nothing out of the ordinary. He responds, “ no my chief, everyfing looks normal. Just as we left it.” Yetzan agrees, “ exactly. Not a single thing is out of place. Makes you wonder if anyone or anything has come this way besides us.” The two look at each other for a brief moment. Suddenly they hear a yelling from far off. “ Someone found something. Sounds like Errow and Chargus, hurry Let’s go.” He commands. Yote nods and follows behind as the two leave the area.
A few moments prior as Errow and Chargus walked the perimeter of the farm. Chargus asks, “ what is it between you and Lutzi, why does he bother you so?” Errow rolls his eyes. “ That looker is a grute faced back attacker. No honor or respect is deserved by such a worthless dhanda.” Chargus nods, “ okay but wasn’t it you that attacked him?” Errow rushes two steps ahead to stand in front of Chargus turning to face him. “ Let’s get one thing straight, I only attacked him before he had a chance to pull something. If left to plot he will make a plan to take me down. It’s called anticipation.” Chargus looks to the side away from Errow. Placing his hand on the back of his neck he struggles at first to comprehend what he is being told. He then questions Errow, “ how exactly do you know he wants to take you down?” Errow looks at him sternly, “ I know that when someone is better there are those lesser that wish to be like them.” With the hand behind his neck Chargus then scratches his head. “ You are losing me, which one of you is the better and which one wants to be like the other?” Errow becoming frustrated replies, “ are you with him, or with me? I’m starting to not see where you stand here. I am and always have been the better one.” Chargus scoffs nervously, “ alright settle down, I’m not with him. I am my own dhanda, I don’t want to have to pick a side and say I’m on it. You may do something that I won’t agree with. When it comes down to it I don’t want the others thinking I’m with you in that case.” Errow snarls, “ well then you better watch out for you since you feel that way. I thought we were united for the same cause, but I see differently now.” He walks ahead of Chargus who replies, “ what cause would that be? Your status as the village linguist? Ensuring that you secure your place?” Errow stops instantly. Clinching his fists he turns around quickly and bolts it back to Chargus double time, stopping right in front of his face. “ You should do what you do best and listen. What’s good for me is good for those that are aligned with me. If I do good then so do they. If you are choosing to be your own dhanda then so be it. I am not looking for solo dhandas to live their own life how they deem. I am looking for dhandas with understanding that power comes in numbers.” Chargus tilts his head, turning his ear towards Errow as a sign to say, I’m listening. Errow continues, “ a single dhanda may only have the ability to capture and kill a beast large enough to eat for a single meal or two, having to hunt more often. Many dhanda’s of equal skill working together can capture whatever they desire, having to hunt less gaining more. Do you understand what I am saying?” Chargus nods replying, “ what is it you intend to capture that you need many dhandas for?” Errow smiles deviously as he lowers his head squinting slightly. “ It’s not so much what but more of a who.” Chargus gasps, “ look foot prints, someone was here!” He says pointing to the ground behind where the two stand. Errow doesn’t take his attention away, “ last chance, are you with me or not?” Chargus breathes heavily. Considering the idea for a moment he nods, “ fine, but you need to let me in on your plan if I am to join you.” Errow exhales from his nose, flaring his nostrils, “ all in due time.” He looks away from Chargus and focuses his attention on the foot prints. Walking over towards them the two men inspect the size and direction the prints lead. “ Looks like a smaller one and a larger one.” Chargus says. Errow nods in agreement looking at the path, “ well they headed towards the grassland. We can pursue them.” Chargus shakes his head from side to side, “ we will get the whole group, that way we can reach them faster and take them down easier.” Errow smiles, “ see you get it.” He then yells loudly to get the attention of the entire group.
Moments later Lutzi and Natutu arrive, Yetzan and Yote not too far behind them. Yetzan looks around, “ we are missing two. Natutu why do you have that? Where did you find it?” The group looks at Natutu with the blanket draped over his shoulders. “ I found it at Allmeya’s. It’s mine now. Besides, Lutzi took something too!” Errow nudges Chargus with his elbow. Looking at Errow who darts his eyes towards Lutzi he whispers, “ see I told you.” Yetzan looks at Lutzi and then replies, “ I don’t care if someone else took anything, especially if that someone else is not my kooje. Lose it now!” He demands. Natutu huffs, “ but farjer!” Yetzan growls, “ now!” Causing Natutu to drop the blanket on the ground. Jealously Natutu reaches for Lutzi’s satchel. Lutzi steps aside placing his satchel behind his back. “ If I can’t have what I’d taken neither can you!” Natutu shouts. Yetzan rolls his eyes before stepping behind Natutu and pulling him backwards by his shoulders. “ I have given you many chances and all of which you have missed. Now this evenis when narctos reigns I shall announce my successor as chief of the village. It pains me to tell you my unda, it will not be you.” Natutu freezes as the thought suddenly consumes him. Yote standing back smiles, looking over to Errow and Chargus. He winks as to signal them. Errow turns to Chargus smiling. Both men nod at each other. Yetzan takes a step back, “ where are the other two? The ones that saw the mysterious dhandas in the first place?” Errow and Chargus shrug and shake their heads. Yetzan looks at Lutzi who responds, “ I’m not sure chief.” Yetzan looks at Yote then Natutu. “ Well which one of you called us over?” Errow lifts his hand, “ we did chief, we found these tracks leading to the grass lands. If we follow them they may lead us to the ones we seek.” Yetzan steps towards the footprints. “ Hmm, I’m beginning to wonder if there are any mysterious dhanda’s at all.” Yote inquires, “ wot do yew mean den?” All but Natutu steps in behind Yetzan who points to the prints on the ground. “ Those are not the markings of two dhandas. They are one dhanda and a wadja, more so they are that of Allmeya and his dawtea.” Looking at the prints Yote nods, “ oi fink yew are roight.” Looking off in the distance in the direction the prints lead then back at Yetzan, Yote questions the next move. “ Well den do yew fink we should follow dem, maybe dey’ll lead us to dem dhandas.” Yetzan shakes his head, “ no I think those two that are no longer here made up the two dhandas. Think about it, pale skin, light hair. There’s no such thing as a dhanda like that.” Lutzi chirps in, “ excuse me chief.” Everyone looks back except Natutu who is still standing off to the side contemplating his father’s decision. Yetzan awaits a response, “ yes what is it.” He asks. Lutzi continues, “ the dhandas with pale skin, do you think maybe it is the shemli dhandas from the legend of the fijar mogk?”
There is silence for a moment. All the men look at Yetzan awaiting his reply. His face changes from serious as the smile grows wide. He begins to laugh, “ don’t be ridiculous. The fijar mogk is a story we tell the kooje. There is no such thing.” Lutzi looks at everyone laughing, he replies, “ but the flash yestermorrow narctos, the mogk, I saw it myself as did many others around the fijar. Errow you saw it didn’t you?” Everyone turns their attention to Errow who shakes his head as he presses his lips out. “ No idea what you are speaking of.” He replies. Yetzan answers, “ don’t worry Lutzi, we all see things that are sometimes not there. Just some of us more than others.” Everyone except Lutzi and Natutu begin to laugh. Yetzan quickly takes command of the situation, “ alright enough time for games, now it’s serious time. We have two missing dhandas, tracks that lead us to the Allmeyas, and an announcement to make this evenis. We are to split up once again. Yote, you go with Chargus and Lutzi. I will take Errow and Natutu.” The group splits into two as Yote asks, “ wheel be taken de trackens den?” As Yetzan agrees, “ yes and the three of us will search for the two missing dhandas. If by chance neither of us find what we are after by the time the sunji turns red just head back to Yenga. We will reconvene in the morrow.” Both groups separate to perform their different tasks. Yote, Chargus and Lutzi walk along the foot prints leading towards the grassy outlands. As Yetzan walks with Errow and Natutu at his sides he tells them, “ I will be choosing my successor, it’s most unfortunate that my own unda will not be.” He looks at Natutu with the clear expression of shame. Upset Natutu looks at the ground. Yetzan stops grabbing Errow by the shoulder. “ You know Errow, I will be choosing someone I know has great strength. Can understand the needs of the village. Knows those who dwell within, and can speak in such a way that he is respected by all.” Errow smiles widely, “ yes my chief.” He replies. Yetzan gestures with his hand as to lead the way before he begins to walk again. He and Errow walk side by side as Natutu mopes behind. “ You know Errow, my choice will probably cause ill intentions. I need to know if you agree with my choice.” Without hesitation Errow replies, “ by all means chief Yetzan, your choice is respected by not only myself but the others as well. I think what ever you chose will be welcomed.” Nodding and smiling the two walk. Yetzan shakes his head, “ I’m not sure that all will agree with you. I have thought about it long and hard, and there is really only one choice. I need to know before I make it whether you support me fully.” Errow nods again, placing his hand on the chiefs massive bulging shoulder. “ Yes my chief I stand beside you and your decisions. After all you have gotten the village this far.” Yetzan nods ever so slightly. “ Good, well then now that that’s settled let us find those two wandering dhandas.” The two of them head off before Yetzan pauses for a moment. Looking back he yells to Natutu, “ hurry up unda!” As he fans his hand towards himself. Natutu picks his feet up and slowly begins before Yetzan becomes enraged. “ Now!” He commands causing Natutu to double time his pace. Meanwhile following the footsteps in the mud Yote leads Chargus and Lutzi. He pauses for a moment standing upright. The other two halt behind him. Yote turns around, “ yew tew, yew realize dat Yetzan is goin ta be given is speech an andin off is title to de one ee finds most appropriate to be de chief den royt?” Lutzi looks at Chargus who looks back. Both nod, Chargus asks, “ and who do you think that will be?” Yote smiles revealing his yellow discoloured unkempt teeth. “ Why none ova den me of corse. Ew did yew fink?” He laughs before asking. “ aye need ta know den if when dat appens yew tew will be willing ta do fings dat may ova wise seem uneffical?” He gives them a moment as he gauges their reactions. Lutzi inquires, “ what kind of things?” Yote looks at him deviously as he replies, “ give your meger life for wot eva cause I deem favorable to my ruling.” Lutzi raises his eyebrows. “ I’m not sure I can do that.” Lutzi answers first. Yote smile fades quickly as malicious intent can be felt in his expression. “ Lutzi, afta all dat oive dun for yew. Somefing as simple as fighting for a righteous cause is beyond yor capabilitee?” He paces towards Lutzi who becomes uneasy. Chargus knowing that the only thing shorter than Yote is his temper subtly takes a defensive stance. Yote pauses for a moment. “ No use gettin angst. Were on de same side. I just wonted te warn yew dat somefing big is about to go down, an oi need ta know who ta trust an ew not te. Now den we got us some runaways te catch.” He winks as he smiles before leading the way. Looking at each other they both begin to follow a few steps behind.
No comments:
Post a Comment