Chapter 8: Preparation for the feast
When Raja peered out over the horizon one day she had to stop and squint. The sun was growing smaller and smaller.
"Summer will be ending soon." Mikal had read her mind. She turned to him with a smile as they began their morning routine of stretching.
"Yes," Raja replied managing a small smile. But she could help the sadness that crept across her face. Summer was her favorite season. And because of her responsibility with the prisoners…she could no longer go exploring and spend it the way she would've wanted to. The Mansa would never allow her to take them along.
So her dreams were full of wild adventures through the deepest corners of the jungle..running with the Jaguar and climbing from branch to branch like the monkeys. And to splash around in the puddles of the soft rain. Raja longed to do these things…But she wondered if this was not just a coincidence that the strangers were put here… She wondered if maybe it was a message the gods sent. That maybe now was a time for change..
Perhaps it was finally time for her to grow up.
Being with the strangers had taught her responsibilities she had never had before.. They taught her patience and care. Qualities she knew she would need to become a good wife and mother. These thoughts always used to frighten her…but now she found they weren't all that bad..
Perhaps it would be nice…to have a mate. Someone to care for you, love you, shelter you and look out for you so that you were never alone. Maybe Raja could learn to like that. And she had always been fond of children. She didn't want them right away…but somewhere in the future..children would make her happy.
Raja wondered who it would be. Once the strangers lives were…decided .. Where would she be? What would become of her? She was already almost 19.
Would she be sold off to Taliben and become his first wife? Raja wouldn't have to lift a finger if she were Talibens. That is…if he was really to become Mansa. The wives of the king were considered royalty themselves, regardless of blood or family ties. But Raja knew in her heart that to be Talibens wife…or even his property would make her the most miserable girl in all of Kashka.
She sincerely loathed him. His cold black eyes. His fierce hands of stone. She knew he would persist in calling for her and she would persist in refusing. But how long could she last in a dieing battle? The war would eventually be one. Akil and Yatima would not shelter her under their wing forever. Eventually she would have to go out into the world. She would be abandoned. Alone. And he would find her…
"What are you thinking about dear sister?" Mikals voice rang in her ears startling her from her thoughts. She sighed.
"Nothing I suppose. Just of what is going to come." She turned to her brother and saw his eye brows furrowed in confusion.
"What do you mean?" Raja turned back towards the sun but her eyes instead trailed down the hill and far off near the outskirts of the village…where the large lone tree stood with its company..
"Once the prisoners are gone…or…or dead…I will be sold off. Wether Taliben promises food, labor or riches he will not stop his calling. " Rajas crestfallen face turned to one of bitterness. "And Akil will not be able to refuse it. What father would? I'm old enough now…he will not deny Taliben and then I will be taken away. I will not get to see you anymore. I will be a first wife. I will be a slave.."
Taliben pulled her around gently and held his sister close in a small hug.
"Don't worry," He murmured into her hair, when tears began to leak down her cheeks. "I will not let Taliben have you. Father is old. I am the first man of the home now and I have a say so in this too." Raja giggled at the stubborn tone that echoed in his voice.
"Oh Mikal. When was I ever so lucky to have such a wonderful brother like you?"
"When you came to us Raja." He answered smiling. But soon his smile faded.
"You know…something always confused me about you. I know that my mother is not your mother by blood. Nor father. But then if no one in this village bore you as their own then where did you come from?" He asked pondering it himself.
"Yatima says I came from a place far far away. That I was forgotten by my mother and father. And while Akil was on one of his journeys he found me. He said it was as if I had fallen like a star from the sky. And then they took me in.."
"How could someone forget their own child…?" Mikal asked astounded. Raja noticed her fists were balled tightly together, as a deep new sadness seeps through her skin.
"I don't know. I wish I could ask them. My real family." Mikal stubbed his toe against the dirt.
"It doesn't matter anyway, " he insisted folding his arms. "We are your real family Raja. And that's all that really counts." Raja touched his arm with affection.
"You honor me by being my brother Mikal." With that she turned and walked back towards the Aluk. But Mikal called out after her. She glanced back at him.
"Yes?" There was a spark in his eyes.
"The Spirit feast is tonight. Tonight summer ends. " Raja stiffled a gasp.
The spirit feast- of course! How could she have forgotten?
"I suggest you get ready," Mikal said with a chuckle. Raja laughed in return.
"Yes I will! Thank you for reminding me."
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"This is asinine." Wufei declared watching all of the people pass in and out of the large village. There was excitement in the midst of the crowds, as warriors came back and worth carrying bundles of things. Their things. The items ranged from clothes to weapon shells, food, Wufei even recognized his own tooth brush. Some grinning old fool had taken it from the pile and was now scratching his back with it. But today was not extremely unbearable, the heat had simmered down a bit and there was a small cooling breeze in the air. Wufei stiffened his upper lip- watching the sweaty native scrub his back vigorously with his toothbrush was very psychologically unsettling but he managed to hold in his pride.
"Well they can take my clothes and my toothbrush but they can't have-"
A little boy ran by and stopped in front of him. Wufei's eyes widened a fraction.
"My Katana…" He gasped.
He was carrying one of his spare Katanas upside down over his shoulder. The little boy smiled wide to reveal several gaps in his teeth and waved.
"Su ku!"
Wufei blinked but the little bo had already pranced off. Duo was suffering from hard stomach curdling laughter next to him.
"Damn…" He whistled, "They took your bird and your bush." He dissolved into laughter again and was soon followed by Quatre who had worked hard to contain it. His politeness was finally starting to wear off.
"I wonder who found all of it." Trowa said watching the commotion as the villagers crowded around their male warriors. From far away it only looked like a sea of black bodies.
"It was him. That one over there." Heero said suddenly. Quatre and Trowa turned to him to see where he pointing to and followed it. Duo looked over as well. His eyes narrowed.
"It's that dickbrain Talbenn. So he went on a little goose hunt for our stuff did he." He spat in the dirt his violet eyes blazing. "Well he looks pretty damn pleased with himself."
"Hellooohw!" A bright cheery voice called. Duo smiled when he spotted the golden haired girl approaching them with full arms. She wore a smug expression knowing she had said the greeting right and her accent was actually not that bad. Duo lifted his hand to high five her and Raja complied having already learned the gesture. When the others did not look away from the crowd she turned to see what they were seeing. She shook her head with an annoyed expression.
"Taliben saa tatu kasoro." She said glancing at the dark towering male in distain. Duo smirked.
"So you don't like him either do you..?" Rajas eyes had watched his face when he said this and he had the feeling she understood completely. She kicked the ground and glared at Taliben who stood off in the distance oblivious to them.
"Miie go kaiio." Duo nodded.
"I don't like him either babe." Raja dropped the basket to the ground. She pointed to the sky.
"Unak wenda wapii taoou! Jai naayo akaat maan." She exclaimed her bright blue eyes beaming in excitement. Duo shrugged to show he didn't understand. Eventually after three charades from Rajas brilliant acting skills Trowa finally was able to understand.
"She's trying to tell us that summers almost over. I think they're going to have some sort of celebration." Duo nodded and stopped turning to Trowa is surprise.
"How did you get all that?" Trowa blushed and turned his back not wanting too much attention.
"We used charades in the circus. I had to get good at them," He replied with a shrug.
Raja didn't stay long with them, she seemed rather ancy to go somewhere and as soon as they were fed and brought some water she was up and off to the next task. Duo sighed and kicked the sand his boredom coming back to life.
What was he going to do around here all day without Raja there to amuse him? Wufei was obviously stricken now from the sight of his Katana being dragged off by some little jungle boy. Quatre was being abnormally quiet lately, and Trowa and Heero were never really an option for talking. Duo brought his right leg up and cringed at the sight of the small white colony that was feeding off of the dead flesh in his wound.
"She didn't even check my wound so I could flirt with her," He mumbled sadly.
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"Khama, is that you?" the old man asked, opening his bleary eyes that struggled under the weight of his drooping skin. The middle-aged warrior came closer to the side of the large bed quilted with precious furs. He stopped at the foot of the bed and bowed his head in respect.
"Yes Mansa. It is I. I have come on your demand, what is it that you need to tell me?" When Khama allowed his eyes to turn up he frowned deeply. The sight was almost unbearable. It was like seeing one of his own kind locked up in chains. The Mansa had become sick. Incredibly sick…and weak.
His skin seems like old withered layers simply laying across his bones like a thin blanket. Dark veins rose above the surface of his hands as they reached out to Khama beckoning him closer. Hesitantly he complied. But he wished he could leave. What a sad day it would be when the Mansa left this world. Khama saw it in his eyes that he knew it would be soon. His death was near. His king struggled to form words from his mouth.
"I…I want you to keep something secret for me. I trust you to fullfill it once I am dead."
"Mansa…whatever it is…whatever you say I shall swear to keep it secret." Khama replied sincerely. Without knowing he had reached out and grasped the old mans hand. His kings grip was weak. Once it had been firm. It had been strong and feirce, he had been the best warrior in all of Kashka. Now he was a fraction of what was…of his past. He was a dying old man with sad thoughts of goodbye.
"Listen to me." He said. The Mansa lifted his frail neck and Khama listened closely.
" When I pass. You will give orders to release the prisoners. They have good hearts, and their intentions towards us are not false. I have watched from a far when they are with Raja and I know that they would not harm her or anything she cares about. Raja loves Kashka and her people. Therefore so must they respect us. " Khama was at a loss for words. He stuttered tried to make some sense of what had just been said.
"My king…I..I do not think it would be wise----.."
"Khama they are young. Men..yes but they are young. I believe this was not Pallas wish to have them strung upon us. With my death falling on one of the next full moons it will bring sadness and distraction to the people." He gripped the warriors hand tightly now, and his small tired eyes came to life with a piercing spark.
"You will use that to your advantage. You will release them and bid them their leave. But for now…you are to remain silent on it. Is that understood?"
"Yes…Mansa." The old man nodded and his head crumbled back weakly against the pillows of lions fur.
"Good," he murmured, "then you are free to go now."
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Raja sat outside her home in a hushed excitement, her fingers working tirelessly on the bowl of tropical leaves in front of her. She had already made her two favorite colors of paint- one was the color of the sky on its brightest day and the other was the color of Duos eyes. She blushed when she saw the beautiful color it created. She didn't understand why she found him attractive. All of the boys were shorter then the men in her village, taller then her but still they were shorter then the others. Their backs and fronts were muscular which symbolized good protection as a husband but they were slim shouldered…and their skins were all different shades.
While she constantly chided to herself that it was unwise to fall for any of them she couldn't help but surrender to infatuation and curiosity. First she felt her self pulled towards Wufei. Now that she was growing more shy and queit around Duo…aroused by her knew confusing feelings..she couldn't be sure who she liked most anymore. Raja wondered what a life with each of them would be like…if they weren't so different. Maybe she would find that affection she saw in the other families. Maybe she would've grown old with someone, together. Maybe…
"Raja pull your head out of the clouds! It's me Lika." Raja blinked adjusting her dry eyes from their stillness while she had been daydreaming and turned towards the sound of the voice. She smiled brightly when it fell on her long time friend. Lika was and had been for the longest time her only female friend in the village. The other women had accepted Raja…but Raja knew their approval of her would only go so far. But last summer Lika had been given to a husband- his name was Keemiol. They went away together in their own home and for a full year Lika was forbidden to go outside or talk to anyone but her husband. Not until she produced her first born. Then the custom was finished and she could come outside in the village again. She had just given birth to a son which Keemiol named Jaric. He was to return today with Taliben and the others. Raja wondered now where he was though…she hadn't seen him arrive with Taliben and his trunk-head minions. Lika held Jaric tightly against the side of her hip and Raja waved to show her greeting. She was not allowed to touch her now that she was a wife.
"It's good that you're allowed to come out now," Raja said beaming. Lika nodded and tilted the baby to her breast so it could drink.
"Keemiol is supposed to be back by now..But I haven't seen or heard from him at all. Have you?" Raja shook her head.
"No. I haven't. Maybe he went to the palace to go and give the Mansa news of the trip." Lika nodded but her eyes grew hesitant.
"Maybe…" She replied. She put a side her worry with a weak smile and changed the subject.
"Raja it's so good to see you. When I was released from my Aluk you were the first person I came to see besides my family. Keemiol and I wanted to show everyone out son together but I guess he left me to it." She laughed. Suddenly she smiled again.
"Raja…you've been growing. Your chest is bigger!" Raja flushed and covered her slightly revealed midsection with folded arms.
"Perhaps you will take a husband soon? Word tells me that Taliben has asked for you."
"Yes he has. And my refusal to his request remains final," Raja said stiffly. Lika rolled her eyes.
"Don't be so pig-headed. Taliben is one of the most handsome men in the village- besides my husband of course," She added with a wry smile. Raja kicked the ground up against her toes but continued to mix the leaves as she spoke.
"I will not marry some pompous oaf who doesn't know anything but the size of his own pride. He's cruel and arrogant and bizarre. You should see the way he looks at me when I am taking care of the prisoners. He's a mad man!"
"He's jealous." Lika corrected wagging a finger.
" Men do not like seeing what they want go after something else. Even if you don't have any intentions to be their woman it still would make him angry." Raja didn't answer she just kept her eyes down and continued to mix the leaves. But she was working with a bit more force.
"You don't like him at all?" Lika asked.
"I despise him," Raja said sopping what she was doing and looking up.
"I hate everything about him. I hate the very air he breathes. And when he touches me its like an insult. If I ever marry…which I probably won't…as Palla as my witness it will never be to Taliben!"
Lika looked very surprised. But suddenly she began to understand.
"You like one of those white prisoners don't you? You want one of them…"
Raja again said nothing. She wished she could. But there was nothing she could say that would be honest. She didn't know what to think or how she felt right now. Finally she decided to say something else.
"I just hope that they all remain alive. And that the Mansa will be lenient with their lives. They do not deserve death Lika. I have seen it in their eyes. I have watched their faces. They have seen all of the sadness of the world and there is pain in their past. It would be like kicking a dog who has already been beaten and starved. I am fascinated with them yes…but I also pity them. For when I think of the pain I have felt I know its nothing compared to theirs.."
Lika accepted this and asked no more about it. She sat on the ground keeping her distance respectfully of her young unmarried friend and let Jaric play around on the ground.
"Do you need help with this?" She asked. Raja smiled and nodded at her.
"Rip up those leaves for me and put them here. I'll mix them and make some more colors." Lika nodded at her and pulled the leaves towards her.
She remembered when they were little they would mix the leaves together and help each other paint their faces to get ready for the feast. But now…times had changed. Things were very different. And she and Raja were not little girls anymore. No matter how hard she knew Raja didn't want to let go… She had to grow up some day. Lika only hoped that when Taliben finally won her over Raja wouldn't do something stubborn. To be a wife was a very important thing. And if you disgraced your husband…you disgraced yourself. She hoped Raja would be careful.
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A large creamy ball hung up in the sky lighting the world below it. Raja leaned over the side of the river and saw it as if it were sitting on her shoulder. She gazed at the dark shadow of her reflection and put a hand to her face. Traces of violet danced in vines by the corner of her eyes, her eye lids were adorned with blue and pink. Her lips were stained a light shade of maroon. Blue symbolized the light of the sky. Pink..love and maroon was the flesh that was the human body of life.
She was satisfied with the way she looked so she tossed a rock in the river and it rippled the image of her. She had told her reflection to go away.
She would be needed soon to help Yatima bring the food to the fire pit where everyone would be cooking their offerings and the men would be preparing the drums and instruments for dancing. It was going to be a wonderful feast this year. And Raja was finally old enough to do her favorite dance. The song of the cobra. The Mansa had granted her to be the leader of that dance this summer and she was most pleased. Yatima would be so proud of her, she knew all the moves. Lika had said that this song aroused the men of the village and made the women who were dancing it very attractive by the way they moved with the snakes. Maybe if Raja did well enough she could find other men to request her hand as well…then Akil would forget Taliben like a rotten apple..and Raja would deal with getting rid of easier suitors.
Raja left the river and followed the light of the fire from the village that stood far off in the distance. Tonight there were no worries. Tonight she would forget about Taliben, about the prisoners fate…there were no problems.
She was just going to dance.
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Next chap will be short cause I got bored and stopped right now. It'll be out later, probably by tonight if not then by tomorrow for sure. Just thought I'd put something up! REVIEW!!! Please and Thank you!