CHAPTER 18: The Markaii Tribe
The Markaii were a quiet people and they worked to be shielded from the various hunters that would occasionally approach them. Enjoying the Mother's world, they wanted nothing to change. Game had always been plentiful since they had moved to this land, and their hunters were reasonably skilled in getting enough kills; no winter starvation had yet come about.
However, the size of the Markaii tribe had grown over the summers and was now roughly seventy people. Four of their hunters had gone on a hunt to the west but never returned. This was two moon cycles ago. No armed conflicts between the Markaii and the Zelandonii had occurred. This was because it was seldom that Markaii hunters would encounter Others hunters and neither tribe wanted an armed conflict.
Fall game was getting harder to supply in quantity due to the growing number of people and the loss of the four hunters. For this reason, they felt scaring game away from the hunters coming from the northwest was what they must do to survive. The Markaii leaders generally felt the coming winter could be the Markaii tribe's first starvation winter.
"Hello this place," shouted a stranger. Receiving no response, another stranger shouted. "Hello this place," yet another shout went through the air; "Hello this place," no one shouted back. "Wait, I hear... singing, I hear singing!" Now the four walked toward the sound and were soon close enough a shout could be heard over the singing. "Hello this place," Muckee shouted. Ten of the Markaii now heard the shout and one responded by shouting back. "Strangers, stay where you are!" This alerted many of those who had not heard the strangers calling out.
"We come in peace and ask to meet, may we approach? If not, we will leave you in peace." Stating the request was proper. Now being alerted, Treece, her mate Donnab, and mates Rogg and Dema stepped outside the main cave and toward the small group of strangers.
"Why are you here, what is it you wish of us?" Treece had asked the question and held out her left arm with an open hand to hold Donnab back. Treece and Donnab were both leaders within the Markaii tribe and were cautious with strangers. Treece's mate could be rough if need be and was taller and stronger than most men. He would always stand firm in protecting others and in doing whatever he was deemed to be right.
"We seek shelter because we see a large storm approaching from the Southwest." This was true, but what was left unsaid was ominous and a bit ironic; Muckee and his people were approaching the Markaii from the same direction as the storm.
Seeing only two men and two women, Treece responded, "You may come forward." Now given permission, the strangers approached Treece and her small group. "Who are you?" Treece asked.
"We four are a search party looking for a tribe to join. There are more of us and we are wanderers with no name, yet we want no longer to be wandering and nameless. We search for a tribe willing to accept us. We have men and women with skills and would be a benefit for any tribe." The character of those within the group was not the best and truth in what was being said at any given time was optional.
"My mate is called Donnab and I am called Treece. I am first Leader of the Markaii tribe and Donnab is second leader. These two are called Rogg and Dema. Rogg is one of our hunters. What are you called and who among you are leaders?"
"I am called 'Muckee' and I am first leader of my people. My mate is called 'Rona' and she is our second leader.' The hunter with me is called 'Dack' and his mate is called 'Irena.' Dack is our Hunt Leader."
"Muckee, where are the rest of your people and what is their number?" Treece wanted to know so she could inform the other Markaii leaders.
"Including we four, we are twenty-eight in number and the rest of our group is on the ridge bordering the river to the southwest."
"We do not have shelter enough for your number of people." Treece didn't want to say, 'no' but more so, she didn't want to create a crowding of her people with total strangers, even for an oncoming storm.
"Only we four are seeking shelter. We see the sky darkening and don't feel we have the time needed to get back to our people before the storm hits. My people will have seen the storm coming just as we did and will have made or found shelter for themselves already."
"Muckee, being only four is good, my mate will stay with you as I speak with our fellow leaders. If a majority of our leaders favor offering you a day or two of shelter from the impending storm, it will be done. If not, you must leave in peace." Rogg and Dema were at hand but said nothing.
"Such is understandable and proper. We will be pleased to wait." Muckee was smiling and acting very amiable. He was happy; the threat of a storm had presented itself at the perfect time. Though markedly threatening, the storm did not hit for another seven fingers of time, but when it did come, the sky opened wide with a fierce storm of lightning, thunder, and wind-driven rain.
The land was pummeled the entire night and into late morning. The four searchers had been taken in before the storm hit; the Markaii tribe was taken in as well, they just didn't know it yet.
In reality, the people with no name were wandering Gypers. Within their tribe, honor was optional, and truth was considered of little value unless it could be subverted to serve a purpose. Muckee was hoping to find a tribe of others that he and his fellow Gypers could merge with. As is the realm of most schemers and lowlifes, the time it takes to find a gullible people is worth the effort.
When all of value has been gained, the original band of Gypers would generally sneak away overnight, leaving the victim tribe in disarray and want. Like salt on a wound, the Gypers would strip away the weapons needed for survival. When the storm had ended, it was time for Muckee and his group to get to work.
"Treece, I thank you for sheltering my small group and myself. We four will now head back to the camp my people would have set up when they saw the storm coming. We will then move onward in our search."
"Do your people need food to continue your search?" Treece was surprised Donnab had asked the question. She was unaware that Rogg had spoken with Donnab and suggested it would be poor hospitality not to make such an offer. Rogg felt their tribe could share some of what they had on hand as it was fall. Thinking about Donnab's question, Treece felt the same; the four strangers did not seem to be a threat.
"No, Donnab my friend, we have thirteen excellent hunters in our group, and getting food is never a problem for us, but I will tell my people of your kindness, and now we must get back to them. They are likely eight to twelve fingers of time away from where we stand and will be expecting us." Muckee and his small group began to walk away and were waving goodbyes as they left. His search group was no more than thirty steps away when Muckee stopped and turned to walk back alone to where Donnab, Treece, Rogg and Dema, were still standing.
Walking directly to Donnab, Muckee spoke again. "My friend, I leave my group for a moment because I have forgotten to give you something of value in thanks for your kindness. One of my people is an artisan in rock and gems. He makes things comprising both utility and beauty. I have a special knife he calls a 'dagger' and I want you to have it for yourself. It is of great value just as sheltering my group within your hearth last night and this morning was of great value. My friend, please, accept this gift for you and your hearth."
Muckee used the words 'friend' and 'my friend' to put the term 'friend' in Donnab's mind. Dema and Rogg were both surprised by the gift as were Treece and Donnab; Rogg was immediately envious at what his friend had been given. Donnab now held the gift in his hands and marveled at the craftsmanship. "I can't accept your dagger knife Muckee, it's worth is far more than a night of shelter!"
"Donnab, the dagger has gone from my hands and I would be dishonored if I were to take it back. No, my friend, it is yours and I wish you well." Muckee was smiling as he spoke then turned and walked back to his search group. The smile was because he knew he would get the dagger back just as he had five times before.
The four searchers now continued walking to the new campsite his band would have set up before the storm hit. Muckee was pleased Dema and Rogg were with Treece and Donnab when the dagger was given; he knew word of the gift would spread.
Only among his fellow Gypers would he ever say the word 'band' because in the various lands they traveled, the word 'band' was associated with Gypers and renegades. Many tribes of Others despised Gypers because of a reputation built up through many generations. Those calling themselves 'Nomads' were bad enough, but Gypers were the worst of all. 'Wanderers' was the word Muckee had chosen to use when speaking with Treece and Donnab.
By morning of the following day, word of the dagger knife had spread throughout the Markaii. Many men wished the dagger had been given to them. Owning it would be instant status within the Markaii. Talk of the wanderers and their generosity had spread as well. As is the nature of gossip, the wanderers grew kinder with each telling. "They should get some sort of value better than one night of shelter. Let's take three or four baskets of travel cakes to them before they leave our lands," suggested one woman. Six earthen baking pits were quickly brought to life.
In the matter of the dagger, Treece and Donnab felt they needed to meet in private with the other Markaii leaders. Three runners were sent out to get the four other leaders of the Markaii. Hunt Leader Vorn arrived first along with Spirit Leader Normah, while Wisdom Leader Cemper and Medicine Woman Becca arrived shortly after. Treece and Donnab were standing side by side as Donnab began to speak.
"My friends, I want to show you something and personally tell you what has happened. I feel this may be of importance and we must talk of it."
Donnab put his carry pouch on a cooking stone. He then reached inside, removed the dagger, and gently placed it on top of the bag.
His fellow leaders looked on in awe. They had already heard many rumors and were suspect of embellishment in the telling.
"Speak to me of what you see." Blind since childhood, Cemper relied on others for eyesight.
Hunt Leader Vorn began to describe the dagger. "We see a strange kind of knife. It is much shorter than a man's belt knife as it is somewhat less than three fists side by side in length. It appears to be made of solid granite rock polished smooth. The hand grasp has small red and green stones inset on both sides and a very thin blade blossoms from it. The blade is extremely sharp and comes to a tapered and pointed tip. Another thing about the knife is that the thickest part of the blade matches the thickness of knife belt leather."
"Vorn, that is impossible! No knife blade can be that thin. Please place the knife in my hands." Feeling the knife in its entirety, Cemper smiled. "It is not proper to trick a blind man. I am unable to feel the colored stones you say are in the hand grasp."
Treece replied, "Cemper, the stones are embedded in the granite hand grasp and the entire knife has been polished so smooth that the small colored rocks cannot be felt. I swear by The Great Earth Mother the things you have been told are true." Treece now collected the knife from Cemper and handed it to Hunt Leader Vorn so he could inspect it and then hand it to the next leader. Each of the other two leaders took their time in examining the knife.
"Do each of my fellow leaders see what Treece has described to me?" Each leader answered 'Yes' and did so nearly in unison. "Donnab, tell us of your encounter in detail," Cemper requested. As he started to speak, 'my friends,' was a phrase that came to Donnab's mind.
"My friends, we were singing at our praise meeting when the strangers arrived...
The recounting of events did not take an extremely long time. All present wanted to hear the details of what had happened and exactly what had been said. In the telling, the one thing that stood out to Hunt Leader Vorn was the claim of thirteen expert hunters. Vorn was Hunt Leader, but no better and no worse than the rest of the men who elected him as Hunt Leader.
Vorn spoke, "The man called 'Muckee,' spoke of having thirteen expert hunters. I am not an expert hunter and what I truly know about hunting is no more than any of my fellow hunters knows. None of us are experts in hunting and I wish to ask Muckee if his group would consider spending one or two months with us.
"Doing this would allow his expert hunters to teach us their hunting methods and what manner of thought they may use before beginning each hunt. Do their methods change depending on what specific type of game they seek? Do they hide in wait of game or do they aggressively hunt? Do they use weapons different from ours?
"As you know, our food supplies get stretched at times, especially in winter, and this could be lessened or eliminated if Muckee would agree to do as I wish to ask of him." In reality, Muckee had spoken of having 'excellent hunters' not 'expert hunters.' Excitement can sometimes encourage thoughtless embellishment. I ask what thoughts are now in your minds tied to a request such as I have described." Vorn wanted his fellow hunters and himself to be better at hunting large game because depending on luck was not the best way to hunt; especially since the Markaii tribe was large and growing.
Medicine Woman Becca now spoke. "As Vorn says, we have become a large tribe and our need for daily food increases every winter." Becca was concerned about winter food supplies as were the others. Food supplies had been spotty last winter and she had fears for the coming winter.
"I pray to The Great Earth Mother that Vorn is given his request. Food is a necessity and I think the suggestion is proper and would serve well for our tribe for many generations." Spirit Leader Normah had spoken with strength and certainty in her voice.
"What say you Cemper? What are your thoughts in asking Muckee to have his expert hunters teach their skills to our hunters?" Donnab wanted Cemper's thoughts as the man was Wisdom Leader and was the oldest man in the tribe.
"My feelings are laced with both happiness and skepticism. We don't know these people and as such, I am very skeptical. It seems unreasonable that a man would part with something of such great value unless he was expecting something of even greater value would result in the giving., I also ask why no other tribe has accepted these people? In addition, if they are with us for one or two moon cycles, will they leave peacefully if asked or told to go?" These were wise words and Cemper was hopeful his fellow leaders would seriously contemplate what he had said.
"...And your thoughts in the matter Treece?" Vorn wanted to hear what the tribe's First Leader had to say.
"Each the last several winters we have had discussions centered on our hunting needs. I am concerned about our lessened ability to properly feed our people and the need will only increase as winters pass. Vorn, I feel what you have suggested is a proper and reasonable request. Muckee has no obligation to us, so there is no pressure upon him except that which his own heart provides."
Treece was hopeful enough leaders had come to feel as she did. "We must vote on this matter of asking for Muckee's assistance. Normah, please hand out the voting stones and be certain to tell Cemper in which hand he holds the white stone."
Normah handed each of the five other leaders one white stone and one black stone. Votes were cast using the small stones. An empty pouch was used to receive and hold the voting stones and by tradition, the first leader to vote was Wisdom Leader Cemper. Normah was Spirit Leader and thus the 'vote keeper' and, standing single file, each subsequent leader individually stepped to the pouch and placed either a white stone or a black stone inside it; Normah was the last to vote.
Standing in line and facing forward, each leader had an opportunity to change which hand the black stone was in. Doing this prevented others from knowing which stone was cast. By tribal law, if more than one black stone was cast the proposition would fail.
"I will now empty the pouch," said Normah. Five white stones and a single black stone fell from the pouch to the ground. His fellow leaders could see Cemper's dissatisfaction when he was told the outcome of the vote, Cemper was the only leader surprised. 'Accepting this decision is not what I wish to do. Only time will tell if my fears in this matter are warranted,' Cemper thought.
"Vorn, as Hunt Leader you should be the one to make this request of Muckee. As First Leader, I wish to accompany you on the trip to the camp location Muckee described. I do this in support of your suggestion and as a way to meet Muckee's people. I know we won't be there for very long, but I want to become at least somewhat familiar with them."
"Treece, this is acceptable to me and hopefully leader Muckee will accept our request." Vorn and Treece were soon made aware of the travel cakes being baked and decided to wait for the baking to be finished. They would then take the travel cakes to Muckee's people.
Many comments were made when the dagger was shown to the rest of the Markaii people. "You say the group leader gave this dagger knife to you Donnab? This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I would be pleased to trade you my mate and eldest daughter for your dagger knife." This statement was said in jest and drew laughter. Now a man in the group shouted, "Donnab, before you die, you need to give your dagger to me to settle your debt..."
Those in the assembly of people again laughed because the debt was on the man who had shouted, not on Donnab. The jewel clad dagger was the single most valuable thing anyone had ever seen. The craftsmanship was superb and the many red and green colored stones inset into the granite hand grasp were something none of them had ever seen or heard of before. Vorn and Treece left camp shortly after the morning's meal and reached Muckee's people just after high sun.
The camp location Muckee described had turned out to be eight fingers of time away from the Markaii tribe. 'Hello, this place,' was the traditional phrase used by all tribes when approaching an unknown people. When Vorn yelled the phrase to Muckee's people it was quickly met with the traditional reply, "Hello, you who are strangers."
A few rapid fire questions were spoken to Treece and Vorn but were innocent in nature; "How are you? Have you traveled far? Are you in need?"
"We two come in peace and wish to speak with Muckee and your other leaders." The man who had answered Vorn's shout turned and spoke to a young boy standing close by. The youth went away with purpose in his step.
"Come forward you who are strangers. Muckee has spoken of you and the kindness you showed in sheltering our search group from that storm. I have sent a boy to leader Muckee so he may also welcome you."
Both Treece and Vorn were pleased with the man's response and began to walk forward to meet the man who had responded to their call. As they met, the man spoke first. "I am called 'Ovar' and I am the Wisdom Leader for my people. I am guessing you two are Treece and Donnab, first and second leaders of the Markaii Tribe." In truth, Ovar was a thief just like Muckee and the rest of the band. He was not any type of leader at all.
"You are half right Ovar. I am Treece, First Leader of the Markaii tribe and with me is Vorn, our Hunt Leader. He and I now hand you four carry baskets full of travel cakes. This is in thanks for taking the time to meet with us, as we have a request we wish to present to Muckee and your fellow leaders."
Now approaching the small group, Muckee asked, "Treece, Vorn, is there a problem? Didn't Donnab tell you I cannot take the dagger back? Once I give someone a gift I would be disgraced if I took it back!"
"That is not why Treece and I are here. Muckee, we would ask something of you and would offer something in return." It was awkward for Vorn to barter and even more so for Treece. Being a solitary tribe, it was a very rare day either leader put forward a barter request.
Muckee asked, "What is it you want and what do you offer in return?" He was not much better at bartering, as his people tended to simply steal what they wanted.
"We ask that your people be among us for one or two months while your expert hunters teach our hunters the ways you hunt that allow ample game to be brought down. We have no knowledge of your needs and seek to know what you wish to be provided in return."
"Treece, as I said when we met, we seek to wander no longer and wish to join a tribe and work to become members of that tribe. Our men and women have skills and would not be a burden. This is what we wish and what I spoke of when we first met. On behalf of my people, I accept your request to be among you and I would be pleased to have our hunters teach your hunters our methods in hunting.
"Understand, I do not see this as a barter. We will do as you ask without barter simply because we are all brothers and sisters in the eyes of the Great Earth Mother. With the skills in hunting we possess, gaining kills should not be a problem." After the teaching, I would hope the Markaii leaders would agree to bring us into your tribe permanently as we would then be Markaii and fully subject to your leadership and laws."
"Muckee, we will speak with the rest of our leaders and return tomorrow. If you would excuse us, we will leave you now." Treece hoped her pleasure was not too apparent. What appeared to be individual families waved to the pair as they walked from the camp.
"Mommy, do we have a name now? Are we part of the murky tribe like daddy and you were talking about last night?"
The Gyper mother looked directly into her daughter's eyes and replied, "No sweetheart, not yet, but we hope to be." Overhearing this was gut-wrenching for both Treece and Vorn. Once the two were well out of sight the little girl spoke to her mother again.
"Mommy, did I say what you told me to say the way you wanted me to?"
Smiling, mommy replied, "Yes, you did sweetheart, yes you did..."
When Treece and Vorn returned to their fellow leaders, the entire story of the encounter was told in detail. "... and at that point I just said, 'If you will excuse us, we will leave now.' Families with young children were waving goodbye as we passed, and one little girl asked her mother if she was part of the 'murky tribe' now." It was gut-wrenching to hear what the child said." Treece was unknowingly making the other leaders feel the same pity she and Vorn had felt.
"These things are hard to hear Treece, but still, these people are outsiders. We know nothing of their background. Who are they and where do they come from? What are their laws and traditions? Is there any disease within their tribe? Do they have a Medicine Woman among them? Do they have true regard for The Great Earth Mother? Again, I ask why is it no other tribe has accepted them? These are important questions." Cemper appeared to be the only one among the leaders not shaken at hearing the child's question.
"Cemper, if they do not know of The Great Earth Mother, they can learn, and knowing where they came from doesn't tell us the nature of these people. Most diseases can be cured and as Vorn said, these people appear to be well fed and healthy.
"Their laws and even traditions can change if needed and I see these things as secondary to our own need of hunting skills and beyond that, if we did grant them full membership after our hunters are trained, their number is much less than our number; they could not control us." Normah, the Markaii Spirit Leader, was pragmatic as was her nature.
"I call for a vote!" Medicine Woman Becca was already passing out the voting stones. "As is tradition, the white stone is a vote in favor and the black stone is a vote against whatever we are voting on. Right now, we are voting on temporally bringing this small and nameless tribe into ours. Cemper, I have placed the white stone in your right hand, and the black stone in your left. An empty pouch is in front of you. The rest of us will follow your lead and vote after you do."
After two successful months of training the Markaii in hunting skills and tactics, Muckee's group of wanderers were in for a long trial period for membership. This was required by the Markaii tribal leaders. The new people became entrenched in Markaii society within the first year. Each one of the new members was on best behavior. They were being helpful and kind in volunteering for various tasks such as sewing, cooking, watching young children, gathering wood and much more. The newcomers became a full part of the fabric of Markaii life.
After twelve trial months of being with the Markaii, the nameless group officially became full members of the tribe. Three months later rumors started and were now being spread. 'Little lies' were being told about Treece and Donnab. Many accusations of wrongdoing were spreading and being embellished on occasion as is human nature at times. Though some accepted the barrage of accusations as fact, many did not believe and spoke against the falsehoods. The unfortunate thing is that rumors are hard to kill.
At the behest of Muckee, one of his Gyper women, 'Rutta,' had managed to steal a newly made tunic and had hidden it within Treece's hearth. Who may have stolen the tunic was a hot topic for conversation. Muckee and his crew had planned things well. "Muckee, we have spoken well of you and spoken disparaging words of Treece and Donnab among the Markaii for the last four months. Now we have our chance to take control of the Markaii Tribe just as you said we would."
By design, grousing about the leaders Treece and Donnab and telling lies of wrongdoing by the pair had increased greatly over the last four months and by planning well, Muckee's people made their move immediately after the upcoming 'Praise the Mother' meeting ended. Nearly all the Markaii adults were present.
Vorn was a native member of the Markaii and was only twenty-four summers; he was Hunt Leader and people tend to follow and believe what leaders say. Special attention had been given in persuading Vorn of the wrong-doings Donnab and Treece were supposedly guilty of. Lies were addressed by Treece and Donnab as quickly as they came up. The two leaders could say little to exonerate themselves from phantom lies other than asking for provable facts and speaking of their reputation over the years.
Like rumors, baseless lies from anonymous sources are hard to defend against. It was somewhat ironic that Vorn, the native Markaii Hunt Leader, was the one to call out for electing new leaders. "While most of the Markaii are here, I ask we now meet and vote on removing Treece and Donnab as leaders.
"I am aware of the anger many of us have with their leadership and today we find that the stolen tunic was in Treece's hearth and had been hidden under sleeping furs. We all know Rutta found the tunic when she was helping Treece with cleaning and we don't need this dishonesty in our tribe."
One of Muckee's hunters now shouted, "Who knows what else Treece and Donnab have done that hasn't been discovered yet!" The Gyper community had influenced and handled the young Hunt Leader with skill.
All but a few of the Markaii Tribe were present when another of Muckee's people shouted, "I call for a show of hands! Those who want the thieves Treece and Donnab to continue as leaders raise your hand." Out of the seventy-three people present, only twelve raised a hand; the lies had influenced many of the native Markaii tribe.
"Those that want Muckee and Rona to replace Treece and Donnab in leadership, raise your hand." Fifty-seven hands were counted. The planned deed was done; the goal was accomplished. Even if every tribal member that didn't vote for Muckee, or didn't vote at all, were to vote for keeping Treece and Donnab as leaders, the majority of votes still went to Muckee and Rona.
"I call for discussion of these matters and then a new vote based on facts instead of rumors." It was Spirit Leader Normah who had now spoken up.
"I agree with, Normah, this matter deserves to be decided based on facts," Becca shouted. "Are we a people who follow blindly? Are we a people without thought or mind?" Medicine Woman Becca's statement and questions went unanswered. A quiet murmur and then a deathly silence was in the air.
"THE VOTE STANDS AS ANNOUNCED! WE WILL NOT BE THE LACKEYS OF DISHONEST LEADERS!"
It was one of Muckee's people doing the shouting. Vorn had called for an election and the moment he stopped speaking, control of the gathering went to the man who had called out for a vote, the people began to disperse. Wisdom Leader Cemper was fighting a sickness and his forehead was very warm. If he had been present, he likely could have righted things but now it was too late. Treece and Donnab were no longer leaders.
"Donnab, what can we do? Neither of us stole that damn tunic and because of all the lies told about us we are now disgraced in the eyes of our people. The only way that tunic could have gotten into our hearth is if someone put it there. Someone else stole it and put it there on purpose."
Treece now thought to herself, 'Rona was with me during the entire day the tunic was sto...' "Donnab! I know what has happened! Rona is Muckee's mate and she was with me all day when the tunic disappeared. She couldn't be the one who took the tunic."
"I can understand she didn't take..."
"Let me finish Donnab... SHE didn't take it, one of the others in Muckee's group stole it then hid the tunic in our hearth. It was Rutta who discovered it when she started to help me gather soiled tunics and loin cloths to be washed... Donnab, Rutta damn near walked directly to the tunic and my guess is she knew exactly where it was because she herself had put it there. Because of that evil action, you and I no longer lead the Markaii, Muckee and Rona do!"
"DAMN-IT! That two-faced Muckee planned the whole thing so he and Rona could take leadership of our tribe. I'm going to the other leaders and tell them what has happened."
"That would be useless Donnab. A vote has been cast and Muckee is now in control. Becca, Normah, and Cemper would believe us even though we have no proof of who stole the tunic. They know us extremely well but Muckee is not about to allow another vote, there is little anyone can do."
"Treece, there must be a reason Muckee wants control of the Markaii Tribe. He and every one of his people are in on this. Now his embedded group of twenty-eight has Muckee and Rona leading our tribe. I don't know what the two have planned, but it can't bode well for the Markaii."
"Donnab, I just realized that Muckee just needs to replace one more leader with one of his people and he will control the group of leaders four against two. He would win every vote. If we are not leaders, we can't help our people, and what about you and me? We cannot stay here and live under unwarranted disgrace. Where can we go, what can we do?"
"Treece, as a man, it pains me that we can do little to nothing more for our people. I have thought on this and we must leave the Markaii. I cannot stand to see the hurt in your eyes as people pass and frown. I also wonder which leader Muckee would get rid of. I myself feel pain when various people pass by and snub us. Muckee has wronged us greatly in his efforts to discredit our leadership. Those people in the Northwest who continually want to hunt game in our land do not seem aggressive and keep trying to engage our hunters in talk. I feel we should we leave the Markaii and seek out the Northwest tribe and perhaps join them."
"Donnab, I will do whatever you desire but I insist we at least go to Cemper, our wisdom leader, and tell him what we know must have happened. I think he will be the next leader Muckee replaces or lies about. Replacing Normah, our Spirit Leader, or Becca, our Medicine Woman, would draw protest because they work directly with the people. Cemper doesn't interact with the people in the same way as the women do. He has known us since we were children and knows our nature. He will listen and he needs to know our thoughts so future decisions and plans can be based on that knowledge."
"Since Muckee now has Vorn on his side, he will not need to replace him as Hunt Leader and right now any votes of our leaders could be a tie, three to three. If he gets rid of Cemper he can put in one of his own people, probably Ovar, as wisdom leader and by doing so he could control the outcome of any voting. I fear Cemper may die of what will be said to be old age when in reality he will have been given poisoned food. He needs to know our thoughts on this."
"Treece, I feel good about doing as you say with Cemper, he needs to know the truth and must resist Muckee and protect himself in whatever ways he can. Vorn should be told of this as well. We all know it was Cemper who voted against bringing strangers into the Markaii and I now see we should have taken his counsel in the matter. Treece, I fear for the future of the Markaii."
"I fear for the Markaii also, and now I am fearful what may happen after we leave." Treece baked the needed travel cakes for their anticipated trek to the Northwest and assisted Donnab in packing only the things required for travel.
The two packed clothing, sleeping furs, lean-to leathers, two spears, a hand ax, and the three belt knives they owned. "Donnab, where is the dagger knife Muckee gave to you? Have you already packed it?"
"No, I haven't packed it, I assumed you packed it as it wasn't where we keep it beside the candle." Treece and Donnab looked directly at each other and each knew exactly why they couldn't find the knife. With the baking of travel cakes finished and their most needed things packed for travel, the two went to Cemper and spoke of their intent to leave and what must have happened with the tunic and the missing dagger knife. The most important thing they told Cemper was of their concern he would be poisoned.
"Treece, I thank you for telling me of these things and would prefer you to stay with us instead of looking for another tribe, but I can understand an unwillingness to be seen as thieves within our tribe." Cemper was downhearted at what he had been told. "I will speak with Medicine Woman Becca and Spirit Leader Normah, they need to be made aware of the things we have spoken of and I will speak with them as quickly as I can. I will then speak with Vorn as I feel he should be made aware of these things as you suggest. He needs to know that at some point he is may be 'accidentally' killed on a hunt; he isn't needed. Doing such would absolutely guarantee all votes would be as Muckee demands." Treece and Donnab now left Cemper.
Muckee called for a high sun meeting of all Markaii. He had been made aware Donnab and Treece had left the Markaii Tribe in the dark of night. "I have been made aware the winds have removed the criminal trash within our tribe. I ask we memorialize this event with a day of cleansing. This 'Day of Cleansing' is more than symbolic, it is a celebration of a new Markaii devoid of thieves."
Muckee put forward an image of pride in what he was saying, and the resulting enthusiasm energized the entrenched Markaii and thus infected many of the native Markaii by association. The second half of the day was filled with cleansing activity not only within each hearth but also went to the broad area the Markaii lived in. Limbs encroaching on paths were removed, sticker bushes edging the pathways were cleared away and access to the water stream was improved by removing four obstructing bushes from along the bank.
"I am proud of what we have done and glad Treece and Donnab ran away in the night. Muckee is right, we don't need any trash within our tribe." This was said by Rutta, the woman Muckee had delegated to steal the tunic and later on steal back the dagger he had given Donnab.
Within two weeks after Treece and Donnab left, a group of twenty-six native Markaii also left. They wanted to find a different tribe to join with just as Treece and Donnab must have done. Becoming 'self-outcasts' was done in protest of Muckee announcing planned attacks on what turned out to be the Zelandonii. The twenty-six outcasts headed east and were destined for what would be a long and trying trek. They were fortunate in the skill sets within the group and Ursus willing, they would survive.
The women in the group were accustomed to hard times and took on the trek as a challenge. They had the cooking skills to live off the fruits of the land and the game the men would down during the trek. Finding a tribe they could merge with was the ultimate goal. This was good and considering they were a small group of twenty-six getting the needed meats should not be a factor in their survival.
The Markaii hunters didn't see the exodus as anything other than necessary. They would not, could not, live under Muckee's rule, it just wasn't right. Finding a tribe willing to accept a large group of strangers isn't necessarily an easy task; Muckee and his band of Gypers would attest to this fact.
