The Knife 4

"Pull down the wrong to save the Tribe from the Wind, save the mother and child and the child will save the boy from the vengeful, release the Older, restore the lost and regain the world," quoted Mozz to Lucien as they sat by the dying embers of the fire. 'That's what Mah said we need to do.'

'I don't understand. Mah? Who is Mah?' asked Lucien in confusion.

Mozz smiled. 'Mah is the one who saved me, Lucien, who cared for me and helped me through The Fever and the hard times. She is my friend, she is Older Mah. She has no eyesight, but she can See the Then, the Now and the To Come.'

Lucien looked thoughtful. 'A Seer?'

Mozz shrugged. 'She is the One Who Sees.'

In a past life, as a man of science, Lucien would have scoffed at this. But since The Fall he had seen too much to scoff, and his own experiences had led him to believe that The Fever not only cured some of ageing, it also gave them abilities beyond the norm.

He nodded in understanding. 'She Sees Time. I See Weather. I have met other Older's who also See – one could See thoughts of others, which could be frightening, another could See plants grow and where was best to sow crops. Still another could See water under rock, he was a dowser. What do you See?'

'Me?' asked Mozz in surprize. 'I don't See.' She paused, thinking.

'Every Older I met was able to See something…' hesitated Lucien.

'No Lucien. I don't See. I just live.' She sighed. 'and live.'

Lucien held his tongue. He had a theory that every Older could See in some way, Mozz just had yet to recognise it in herself.

'And the plan? You spoke of a plan, is it to fulfil this prophesy of Older Mah?' inquired Lucien gently.

'It is already in motion.' Nodded Mozz. 'The child is better, as is the mother. We have 2 more days to get you well, then we will move on the rest.'

'…and the rest is? What happens in two days?' He inquired.

Mozz gave him an impassive stare, she did not quite trust him yet. 'What happens will happen. Just do as you are told when I give you an instruction. No questions, no arguments. The less you know the less you will be in the way.'

Lucien nodded slowly, never taking his eyes off her. He sensed he was on shaky ground. 'No arguments,' he agreed, 'but when you can, tell me what you will, please.'

Mozz nodded curtly to him and then rose and moved through the cage, taking care of the necessities before the evening sleep. She was beset by confusing emotions and unease. She had become to suspect that Mah had Seen that it was Lucien here entrapped, that was why she had sent Moz instead of coming herself. Mozz didn't like being manipulated. Although she had witnesed the evidence of Mozz's predictions over the years she still believed in free will.

After a few minutes of contemplation, she shrugged her shoulders. Things had been set in motion and now they had to wait play it out. She returned to Lucien and looking down at him said, 'You're as weak as a kitten. The Fever has broken, but you know you must rest to recover.' Mozz dug out the last antibiotic tablet and handed it to him. 'This is the last one. We are lucky they still seem viable. Take it, and then sleep.'

Lucien took the pill and mused, 'What a miracle of modern science this was. Will we ever come back from this? Will these children ever build the world again?' He looked at Mozz with sorrow in his eyes.

'One day at a time Lucien. Save what we can today and let tomorrow take care of itself. It always does, at least that's what Mah says.' Said Mozz.

He nodded and swallowed the medication. Mozz handed him a cup of water to wash it down. After he had drunk, he lay back on the pallet and closed his eyes. Mozz looked down at him and after a moment lay down beside him. She draped the ratty blanket over them both, closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep.

…

The second day of their captivity began. Waking with the sun on her face and the crazy laughing cackle of a nearby kookaburra Mozz found herself burrowed into Lucien's side, her head resting on his shoulder. He slept contentedly, snoring lightly. Carefully she extracted herself from his embrace and rose. Lucien muttered and grumbled slightly, then rolled over onto his side and continued sleeping. Mozz was slightly astonished at herself. Amazed at the ease and comfort she had found sleeping by his side once more. It had been many years since she had slept so long and so well. It felt right and natural and for the first time in a very long time her heart did not ache quite so much.

Over in the cook house she could see wood smoke rising. Quickly she did her morning ablutions while she waited for the morning meal to arrive. Lucien muttered in his sleep. She checked his forehead and felt his pulse comforting herself that he was returning to normal. Glancing up she saw Twig making his way across the oval carrying two bowls to the cage. He was alone.

''mornin' Ol'er.' He said with a grin as he handed the two bowls to her through the bars of the cage. 'Need ya' ta' go over ta' the utter side o' the cage. Onlys me dis mornin', but theys watching, so pretends like yer aferd a bit.' Twig waved a fist threateningly, the smile on his face giving lie to the action.

Mozz nodded, made a show of cowering and then took the bowls and quickly moved over to Lucien. Twig jingled the keys that hung from a piece of rope around his waist. 'That there Burly, 'e's a lazy ol' sod 'e is. Gives' me the keys and tells me youse all my 'sponsibilty now.' Twig grinned at Mozz. 'e ain't too bright, neither.'

'Well, that makes things a whole lot easier.' Mozz smiled, then quickly turned sober again in case anyone had seen her joy.

'Well, youse just stay over dere, and act scared-like for a bit,' and Twig pantomimed shaking a fist at her again while Mozz crouched down and appeared to be cowering away from Twig. She watched from the corner of the cage as Twig replenished the water and changed over the slops pail once more.

As Twig completed his tasks he said 'Summore o' the crew want ta' see ya' today. Okays?' Mozz nodded. 'And that Jake? He' says tommora'. Oler' Loozie comes ta' see him tommora'.'

'His concept of three days is pretty loose. I thought I would have three full days and nights.' Mozz commented.

Twig shrugged, 'Summun' tol' 'im that the Ol'er had woken up. Dunno ifen he can count that high anyways.' He shot Mozz another grin, then exited the cage, locking it firmly behind him. 'I'll tell thems ta' wants ta' come in a bit ta' see ya then. Mind 'ow ya' go.' He said over his should as he left.

And so, the day began again. Once more she tended to Lucien's needs, feeding him, bathing him, giving him willow tea for his headache. She encouraged him to sleep as much as possible to regain his strength and he readily complied, falling in and out of a restful doze all day. In between bouts of napping and doses of bitter tea he watched Mozz engage with the people who came all day to see her.

Young Kira came to visit Lucien a couple of times, stroking his arm between the bars of the cage and demanding stories of him, but Mozz gently shooed her away each time promising her 'later Kira, later.' Tomis and his mother also returned, the lad's condition had greatly improved. Other ferals came by in dribs and drabs, mostly women and children Lucien noticed. Very few of the males of the group visited. Mozz was kept busy doling out advice and giving instructions on herbal and bush remedies. She had, he considered, become more the doctor than he was.

Lucien was just waking from a mid-afternoon doze when he saw Beffie approach the cage. She was holding the now contented Petey and was assisting another young woman who was walking slowly and carefully to come forward. Lucien watched with interest as the scene unfolded.

'Beffie, and Petey' said Mozz with a smile, holding out her arms to receive the proffered child. Taking the baby, she held him in her arms and crooned at him gently, 'How's little Petey doing then, eh possum?'

'e slept almos' all las night Oler!' said Beffie with satisfaction. 'Onlys woke onct for a feed, and we dids' what you said and 'e hardly grizzled at all!'

The other woman spoke up softly, 'Thank youse Ol'er Mozz. I was ever so worried, thank youse.'

Mozz lifted an eyebrow at Beffie.

'Oh! Sorry's Oler Mozz, this 'ere is me sister Fern, Petey's mum.' Beffie introduced a young woman only a few years older than Beffie.

Mozz looked over the woman and smiled gently. Fern was gaunt and pale. She looked searchingly at Fern, assessing her condition. 'Please, come, sit close to the edge of the cage Fern so I can look you over.'

Fern complied, easing herself down carefully to the ground. After examining Petey quickly and reassuring herself of his continued good health, Mozz handed the baby back to Beffie and sat next to Fern on the opposite side of the bars. Mozz asked Fern several questions relating to the birth and how she was currently feeling. She reached for Ferns hand and gently felt her pulse. Good, slow and strong.

'I would like to examine you, but it's rather impossible when I'm in here,' Mozz waved a hand at the cage surrounds. 'But from what you say, you had a long and difficult labour. The pain you are feeling is normal and should ease off in a few days or so. You can make some willow tea for the pain if you like, but be careful if you are still bleeding, don't drink too much. You need to rest as much as possible, drink strengthening broths.' Mozz hesitated, then continued, 'I wouldn't recommend you get pregnant again for at least a year, if not longer. Breast feed if you are able and that will help. Also, I can give you instructions on how to make a tea that can help you avoid getting pregnant if you like.' Despite her Catholic upbringing, Mozz had long ago accepted some of the Churches' teachings were not in a mother's best interest, and Mozz knew that the ferals insisted that their women bred frequently and often. Fern needed to recover fully before having another child. She realised that Fern's partner was dead but suspected that Fern would be compelled to partner up again whether she wished it or not.

Fern smiled wanly. 'Ta' muchly. That'd be good.'

Mozz asked her a few more questions regarding feeding of the infant. Gently she asked Fern to open her top clothing, so she could examine her further. Fern nodded her agreement and slowly unlaced the ragged skin vest she was wearing, exposing her chest and upper torso for Mozz to see.

Mozz felt her heart stop. There, threaded on a piece of dirty string and resting in the hollow between Ferns full breasts, lay a heart shaped golden locket. Mozz held her breath a moment. Quickly she examined Fern then said, 'My that's a pretty little thing, where did you get it?'

Fern smiled and lifted the locket in her hand. 'It were me great-great-grandma's, me mum said. It opens up and has her picktur inside and words. See?'

Carefully Fern prised the locket open and revealed the interior to Mozz. Mozz found herself looking down at a much-faded photo of her grand-daughter, Amelia. 'Yes,' she said in a choked voice, 'I see.'

Fern smiled, 'It has words and such too.' Her face saddened slightly, 'But I cain't read, and Mum neither so don't know wha' it says.'

'It says, "To Amelia, 21st birthday wishes, love Gran", recited Mozz from memory.

'Oh! Tha's so luvely. I's often wondered wha' it says. Ta' Ol'er.' Fern carefully closed the locket and let it fall between her breasts. She smiled at Mozz.

'It's a very precious thing, Fern. Keep it safe, don't open it too often.' Mozz worked hard to keep her composure.

Fern nodded. 'Yep, Mum always said to look affer it good. When I's has a lil' girl, it goes ta' her. Iffen I don' have a girl, then if Beffie has 'un, it goes ta' her lil' one. Mum said it always hadda' go to the furst girl borned. An' youse hadda' tell the poem ta' go wid it. It tells the story o' how we come to be.'

Mozz gestured to Fern to lace her top back up. 'Poem? Can you tell me the poem?' Mozz asked hesitantly in quiet desperation.

Fern looked doubtful, but Beffie nudged her and said 'Gwan', I ain't heard it fer a good long time. I wants' to hear it agin.'

So, Fern began to chant in a singsong voice a tale that had been repeated and memorised and retold many times over the years, each generation carefully learning the correct syntax and accent even if they did not understand the words.

'Dark. Dark. Dark.

The world was Dark,

The sky was stone

alone, alone,

all alone

fire above and cold below

A tomb, a box, a sarcophagus

Then Davie came

tap, tap, tap

what's that, who's there?

broke the sky,

put down a hand

pulled from the Crypt

Amelia dear.'

Fern stopped chanting, then said, 'I don know what all them words mean, but Mum tol' us that the poem were about our great-great-grandaddy Davie come rescue her from bein' buried alive.'

'Tell the rest,' begged Beffie, and Fern began to chant again,

'Flee the fire

Run to the sea

Hold my hand

and come with me

To the valley below

where we can be

lovers, wife and family'

For two hard years

they lived as one,

'till along came a third

a robust son,

and soon another

in the form of a daughter

Till Fever stole Davies wife

robbing our mother of life.

Fern stopped chanting. 'It's real sad her dying like that. But that Davie, he were the first leader of the ferals here. An' he raised up the boy and the girl, and they was our fambly at the beginnings o' things. The boy were called Little Dave and the girl he called 'Ash' and she were our great-grandma. After Ash, there was Poppy, then mum, who was Emly, and then me and Beffie.'

'An' that Kira,' put in Beffie, 'well HER great-granddaddy were Little Dave. So, she's fambly too.'

Mozz looked at the two girls in stunned amazement.

Oblivious to Mozz's shock, Beffie continued. 'Mum always tol' us that fambly is important, and rememberin' too. She said to keep the fambly together.'

Fern nodded in agreement.

'Yes,' said Mozz in a thick voice. 'Yes, family is important. You both are lucky, very, very lucky.'

Just then, Petey woke in Beffies arms with a sqwack and a grumbling cry to indicate he was hungry again. Both girls giggled at him and Fern said with a smile, 'Well, we best go an feed this NEW bit o' fambly.' Carefully she rose, and she and Beffie waved their thanks to Mozz and slowly moved off back to the compound nursing a grizzling Petey.

In a daze Mozz rose and turned back and walked over to where Lucien laid. He had watched the entire episode without really understanding what had happened, but he could see that Mozz was very upset. He reached a hand up to her asking quietly, 'Jean? Mozz? What's wrong?'

'Oh Lucien,' she cried, 'to be so close, so close to you both, and to not know.' With that tears began streaming down her face, she knelt down and buried herself into Luciens' arms and cried as though her heart was breaking with both joy and sorrow.

…..

Sorry for the delay – there is more to come but it took quite a while and a couple of rewrites to work that darn locket into the story!