Chapter Three: The Seer
A/N: I'm SO sorry this chapter has taken forever to get up. First my computer crashed and I spent a month recovering all my files, then I had schoolwork, Girl Scout work, and my Neopets to take care of. I'm posting this now just so there's something to read, but I'll probably rewrite this chapter because I think I messed up with the time.
"Where is Tevara?" hissed Sarkmena, pacing around the tribe, blood still covering her muzzle. Their Kau had been brought down quickly and Sarkmena had eaten her fill before dashing back home, ready to feed her daughter. Outside members of the tribe danced and celebrated. Already the sky was brightening, pink and orange streaks in the sky. Germina was currently gnawing at a small piece of dried meat, clawing and chewing at it with her hands and feet. "He is late."
"I do not know, milady." Replied the serving Kau, Konbu as she scrubbed away at the Kau fur on the ground. Konbu was one of three Kaus in the tribe, and she was Sarkmena's friend, despite the fact she was a servant. Originally Konbu was going to be eaten at a feast celebrating Markena's new role as a leader, but Markena saw Konbu's potential as a servant and Markena took her in and gave her to Sarkmena as a servant.
"This is not good, not good at all." Snarled Sarkmena as she stopped pacing around the room. "Does it disturb you to be working on a Kau fur when you yourself are a Kau?"
"The Kau is an outsider. She had no business inside our forest. And to be a new cloak for a royal daughter is a better fate then being owned by a…" Konbu looked around before whispering the last word. "Human."
"Hm. So you are correct. To be owned by a human," Sarkmena hissed, spitting out the last word, "is truly a horrible fate."
"Does your daughter know yet?" Konbu asked, looking up from the skin.
"No, she doesn't. She will know at the feast. Markena shall tell her." Sarkmena sat down; tail still swishing as her daughter crawled over, whimpering for milk. Picking up her child, Sarkmena held Germina near her breast and as her daughter drank, Sarkmena turned towards Konbu with a small smile.
"Beautiful child isn't she. My first. She will be the next leader after me."
"Yes, she is quite beautiful. And those eyes are very rare in Lupes. It's a sign. " The eyes Konbu was referring to was Germina's one green and one gray eyes. Green eyes and gray eyes are very rare in Lupes and to have one of each was even rarer. Usually gray eye Lupes such as Tevara were known as fierce warriors and green eye Lupes such as Markena were known as wise leaders so a combination of both surely meant that Germina would be a great and strong leader. "But still, she must see the seer."
Sarkmena gave a small short as Germina began to chew on a stick. "Humph. The Seer. That old tottery stone shaking Lenny? Bah, I don't believe her words. She's an old-" Sarkmena's words were cut short as she saw the look in Konbu's eyes.
"Do not talk about the seer like that. You know that despite her… cryptic words, her predictions have always come true." Sarkmena looked away as the young Kau's gaze grew deeper. The other reason Markena saved Konbu was she saw something strange in Konbu's eyes. Something that she refused to tell Sarkmena, but only replied with the words, "You will understand what I mean soon enough, sister. But beware. Do not anger the Kau."
"Hm. I will take Germina to The Seer this night. Perhaps she will give me a vision of Tevara if he does not appear later."
"No. Take her now." Sarkmena heard the urgency in the Kau's voice and picking up Germina by the scruff of the neck, dashed out the tent. Stopping, Sarkmena gave a small gasp as she looked at the sky.
Mars is on fire tonight… She thought as she gazed up on the planet. And true, in the midnight blue sky, Mars glowed a dark red, something that only happened when something bad had happened. Like when a warrior f-NO! I won't think about it! The Seer, the Seer will tell me… And off Sarkmena went, leaping over fires and tent poles hurriedly making her way to The Seer's tent where her answers would be found.
"Sarkmena." Sarkmena turned around at the shaky voice behind her. It was the Seer.
"Seer! I was loo-"
"I know. I know you were looking for me. Konbu sent me to you to ask about your daughter Germina," the Seer set a shaky wing on Germina's head as she spoke, looking deep into Sarkmena's eyes. "And you wish to know about your mate."
"Yes! Please, do you have any-"
"Yes. I do have news about your mate." The Seer took her hand off the child's head and turned away, looking at a nearby fire.
"Well?" Sarkmena replied, sitting on her hind legs and setting Germina on the ground. Hearing no reply from the Seer, Sarkmena leaned over and gave her a small shake. The Seer turned over and gave her a long look. "What is the news of my husband?"
"Tevara is dead."
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Sarkmena sat staring into a fire inside the Seer's tent, Germina sleeping quietly wrapped up in a Cybunny skin.
"What do you see?" croaked the Seer as Sarkmena leaned forward, eyes narrowed and glaring into the fire.
"Humans… in the forest. They have guns… I see… Tevara being carried away. He is still. That is all I see." Sarkmena replied, leaning away from the fire.
"Yes, I see. Tevara is now dead to the clan. We shall mourn his loss." Sarkmena gave a small hiss as she picked up Germina and briskly walked out of the tent. The Seer sat back and closed her eyes and began to meditate.
She saw Tevara tied onto a cart and carried towards the exit of the forest, three men wearing long white coats at his side. She knew Tevara was not truly dead for he was still alive. But once he left the forest, he would be dead to the tribe.
"Yes, this is trouble indeed. And it won't stop here…" She whispered to herself as her fire died, engulfing the room with darkness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That morning the tribe gathered around a large totem in the middle of the camp, heads raised as they mourned the loss of one of their greatest hunters. Sarkmena, Markena, and Germina sat quietly at a table. On Sarkmena's face, black lines were painted under her eyes and her ears were painted red. Painted down her paws were blue lightning bolts and on her neck green spots were painted in a line. Germina sat on the ground, chewing on a small bracelet, not understanding the loss of her father. Markena sat still; her dark blue mask that normally covered her face rested on the table. Markena had been painted exactly like Sarkmena but long green stripes streaked along her cheeks like whiskers.
"Members of the tribe!" Markena shouted as the dancing and wailing drew to a halt. "Today we suffer the loss of a great warrior. Tevara Fleetclaw has been taken away from us! May his spirit rise up into the sky where he will join the rest of our fallen warriors in the Great Hunt." A quiet mummer ran through the crowd as everyone bowed their head. "He has left behind his daughter and wife. Sarkmena, as is written in the great books, you are allowed to take another male for your husband. Will you take one?" young males looked up, lust and eagerness shining in their eyes as they eyed Sarkmena's strong body. Sarkmena, ignoring the glances stared at her older sister.
"I will not. I shall raise Germina by myself."
"You do understand you will never be able to take another male, correct?" Sarkmena gave a small nod and secretly smiled as the disappointed males lowered their heads. "Very well. Everyone, the afternoon grows near. Go back to your daily activities but keep Tevara in your hearts." As the crowd dispersed Sarkmena placed a paw on her sister's hand.
"You know if you need help raising Germina you can ask me." Markena gave a small nod as she picked up a sleeping Germina. Sarkmena stroked her niece's cheek as she continued speaking.
"Beautiful child, the eyes are brilliant. And the name. How ironic." Sarkmena said as she gave a small smile and walked away leaving Markena behind.
"Yes, ironic…" she whispered to herself as she turned to walk back to her tent.
A/N: I'm SO sorry this chapter has taken forever to get up. First my computer crashed and I spent a month recovering all my files, then I had schoolwork, Girl Scout work, and my Neopets to take care of. I'm posting this now just so there's something to read, but I'll probably rewrite this chapter because I think I messed up with the time.
"Where is Tevara?" hissed Sarkmena, pacing around the tribe, blood still covering her muzzle. Their Kau had been brought down quickly and Sarkmena had eaten her fill before dashing back home, ready to feed her daughter. Outside members of the tribe danced and celebrated. Already the sky was brightening, pink and orange streaks in the sky. Germina was currently gnawing at a small piece of dried meat, clawing and chewing at it with her hands and feet. "He is late."
"I do not know, milady." Replied the serving Kau, Konbu as she scrubbed away at the Kau fur on the ground. Konbu was one of three Kaus in the tribe, and she was Sarkmena's friend, despite the fact she was a servant. Originally Konbu was going to be eaten at a feast celebrating Markena's new role as a leader, but Markena saw Konbu's potential as a servant and Markena took her in and gave her to Sarkmena as a servant.
"This is not good, not good at all." Snarled Sarkmena as she stopped pacing around the room. "Does it disturb you to be working on a Kau fur when you yourself are a Kau?"
"The Kau is an outsider. She had no business inside our forest. And to be a new cloak for a royal daughter is a better fate then being owned by a…" Konbu looked around before whispering the last word. "Human."
"Hm. So you are correct. To be owned by a human," Sarkmena hissed, spitting out the last word, "is truly a horrible fate."
"Does your daughter know yet?" Konbu asked, looking up from the skin.
"No, she doesn't. She will know at the feast. Markena shall tell her." Sarkmena sat down; tail still swishing as her daughter crawled over, whimpering for milk. Picking up her child, Sarkmena held Germina near her breast and as her daughter drank, Sarkmena turned towards Konbu with a small smile.
"Beautiful child isn't she. My first. She will be the next leader after me."
"Yes, she is quite beautiful. And those eyes are very rare in Lupes. It's a sign. " The eyes Konbu was referring to was Germina's one green and one gray eyes. Green eyes and gray eyes are very rare in Lupes and to have one of each was even rarer. Usually gray eye Lupes such as Tevara were known as fierce warriors and green eye Lupes such as Markena were known as wise leaders so a combination of both surely meant that Germina would be a great and strong leader. "But still, she must see the seer."
Sarkmena gave a small short as Germina began to chew on a stick. "Humph. The Seer. That old tottery stone shaking Lenny? Bah, I don't believe her words. She's an old-" Sarkmena's words were cut short as she saw the look in Konbu's eyes.
"Do not talk about the seer like that. You know that despite her… cryptic words, her predictions have always come true." Sarkmena looked away as the young Kau's gaze grew deeper. The other reason Markena saved Konbu was she saw something strange in Konbu's eyes. Something that she refused to tell Sarkmena, but only replied with the words, "You will understand what I mean soon enough, sister. But beware. Do not anger the Kau."
"Hm. I will take Germina to The Seer this night. Perhaps she will give me a vision of Tevara if he does not appear later."
"No. Take her now." Sarkmena heard the urgency in the Kau's voice and picking up Germina by the scruff of the neck, dashed out the tent. Stopping, Sarkmena gave a small gasp as she looked at the sky.
Mars is on fire tonight… She thought as she gazed up on the planet. And true, in the midnight blue sky, Mars glowed a dark red, something that only happened when something bad had happened. Like when a warrior f-NO! I won't think about it! The Seer, the Seer will tell me… And off Sarkmena went, leaping over fires and tent poles hurriedly making her way to The Seer's tent where her answers would be found.
"Sarkmena." Sarkmena turned around at the shaky voice behind her. It was the Seer.
"Seer! I was loo-"
"I know. I know you were looking for me. Konbu sent me to you to ask about your daughter Germina," the Seer set a shaky wing on Germina's head as she spoke, looking deep into Sarkmena's eyes. "And you wish to know about your mate."
"Yes! Please, do you have any-"
"Yes. I do have news about your mate." The Seer took her hand off the child's head and turned away, looking at a nearby fire.
"Well?" Sarkmena replied, sitting on her hind legs and setting Germina on the ground. Hearing no reply from the Seer, Sarkmena leaned over and gave her a small shake. The Seer turned over and gave her a long look. "What is the news of my husband?"
"Tevara is dead."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sarkmena sat staring into a fire inside the Seer's tent, Germina sleeping quietly wrapped up in a Cybunny skin.
"What do you see?" croaked the Seer as Sarkmena leaned forward, eyes narrowed and glaring into the fire.
"Humans… in the forest. They have guns… I see… Tevara being carried away. He is still. That is all I see." Sarkmena replied, leaning away from the fire.
"Yes, I see. Tevara is now dead to the clan. We shall mourn his loss." Sarkmena gave a small hiss as she picked up Germina and briskly walked out of the tent. The Seer sat back and closed her eyes and began to meditate.
She saw Tevara tied onto a cart and carried towards the exit of the forest, three men wearing long white coats at his side. She knew Tevara was not truly dead for he was still alive. But once he left the forest, he would be dead to the tribe.
"Yes, this is trouble indeed. And it won't stop here…" She whispered to herself as her fire died, engulfing the room with darkness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That morning the tribe gathered around a large totem in the middle of the camp, heads raised as they mourned the loss of one of their greatest hunters. Sarkmena, Markena, and Germina sat quietly at a table. On Sarkmena's face, black lines were painted under her eyes and her ears were painted red. Painted down her paws were blue lightning bolts and on her neck green spots were painted in a line. Germina sat on the ground, chewing on a small bracelet, not understanding the loss of her father. Markena sat still; her dark blue mask that normally covered her face rested on the table. Markena had been painted exactly like Sarkmena but long green stripes streaked along her cheeks like whiskers.
"Members of the tribe!" Markena shouted as the dancing and wailing drew to a halt. "Today we suffer the loss of a great warrior. Tevara Fleetclaw has been taken away from us! May his spirit rise up into the sky where he will join the rest of our fallen warriors in the Great Hunt." A quiet mummer ran through the crowd as everyone bowed their head. "He has left behind his daughter and wife. Sarkmena, as is written in the great books, you are allowed to take another male for your husband. Will you take one?" young males looked up, lust and eagerness shining in their eyes as they eyed Sarkmena's strong body. Sarkmena, ignoring the glances stared at her older sister.
"I will not. I shall raise Germina by myself."
"You do understand you will never be able to take another male, correct?" Sarkmena gave a small nod and secretly smiled as the disappointed males lowered their heads. "Very well. Everyone, the afternoon grows near. Go back to your daily activities but keep Tevara in your hearts." As the crowd dispersed Sarkmena placed a paw on her sister's hand.
"You know if you need help raising Germina you can ask me." Markena gave a small nod as she picked up a sleeping Germina. Sarkmena stroked her niece's cheek as she continued speaking.
"Beautiful child, the eyes are brilliant. And the name. How ironic." Sarkmena said as she gave a small smile and walked away leaving Markena behind.
"Yes, ironic…" she whispered to herself as she turned to walk back to her tent.