Chapter Four
The Last Trial and the Loss of a father
Cyrus loved being a part of the Apacheneg tribe. He loved Sonsee-array and they spent much time together, dancing at every campfire. The year was almost over and Cyrus was a respected warrior in the tribe. Few were better that him at archery and he won almost every wrestling match he participated in. Now he was ready to face the last trial needed to be accepted among the braves of the tribe.
He stood at the captive pole, unmoving and waiting for the trial to begin. The drum started beating the first warrior came and shot at him. The warrior missed and Cyrus stood, brave as any other warrior. All the other warriors shot and missed, as per the ritual of the trial. Cyrus never flinched. He was brave and finally came the last warrior. It was Itza-lupan. He came forward and threw his tomahawk at Cyrus. He missed and Cyrus stood there, unmoving and unafraid. Itza-shalla spoke to the people of the tribe: Cyrus Shakasson of the Shadowfaces has withstood the last trial. He stood his ground when others might have run from it. Cyrus, you are now a brave. Here is this bow to signify who you are now." and the chief gave him a beautiful composite bow. The tribe cheered and clapped and Sonsee-array ran towards him. She gave him a loving embrace and a kiss before Itza-lupan came forward. "Congratulations, Cyrus. I cannot tell you how proud I am to see you here. Before this tribe, I declare Cyrus Shakasson my blood-brother!" said Itza-lupan to a resounding cheer from the tribe. Itza-shalla declared: "The ceremony shall begin tonight! Both my son and Cyrus should go and prepare their gifts.
Night came and the dancing and feasting started. Cyrus ate heartily and danced with Sonsee-array. Finally Itza-shalla addressed the tribe: "May the two new brothers come forth and seal their pact!" Itza-lupan and Cyrus came forward. Both took out knives and cut their arms. The chief addressed the new blood-brothers, "Now exchange your gifts as a sign of your friendship and embrace." Itza-lupan was the first of the two to speak: "This tomahawk was the weapon of my previous blood brother Geronimo. Now I give it to you. May it be a mighty weapon at your side." Cyrus soon spoke: " I give to you the quill of my scribe Maharaj. He was a good man. May you use this wisely." "I thank you for this gift. I will lean how to use this and I now embrace you as my brother." They embraced and they were brothers to the bitter end.
The next day, Itza-lupan saw Cyrus packing his horse. "Where are you going this fine day?" "My year amongst you is almost over. I must report to General Arnold." "I hope this is not the end." "I want peace for your people. Maybe I can persuade General Arnold to leave your people alone." "Let me come with you. We are blood-brothers. I want to die defending you." "Come with me, brother." The two rode off to meet the imperial army.
Cyrus and Itza-lupan arrived at the imperial camp after two days of hard riding. Every soldier in the camp was looking at Cyrus. Cyrus did not look like an imperial soldier. He was dressed in buckskin and looked like a frontiersman. General Arnold looked over the walls and he recognized Cyrus. "Open the gates!" he cried. They sat down near a fire and the general said, "Cyrus, where are your men and why are you dressed like a frontiersman?" "The Apachenegs slaughtered my men. I am the only one left." "Why are you traveling with this savage who might be responsible for the attack on your men?" "He led the attack himself but the Apachenegs have shown me nothing but kindness thereafter. I encourage you to negotiate for peace. The empire and the tribes can coexist peacefully." "The empire cannot recognize their independence. They must submit to vassalage." "Then you will have to deal with me. The Apachenegs are my family. I will not allow the empire to discard their independence." "Then, from now on, I can no longer consider you my adopted son. You are a traitor to the empire. I would kill you here but that would violate your diplomatic immunity. The next time we see each other will be on the battlefield and I will kill you then. Now, depart." The two left but Cyrus could not have been sadder. This was his adoptive father calling him a traitor and abandoning him. He would have to kill one of the two men who helped raise him. There would be no joy in killing General Arnold.