Azaria (22 page)

Yumineh was gripping her right hand so tightly, her fingernails dug into her palm, drawing blood. She opened her hand and looked down at it. She noticed the bloody indentations, and wiped at them with her other thumb. There was no pain. It didn't hurt at all. She wiped at the fresh droplets of blood again, smearing more of the thick red fluid around in her hand. She leaned back and lowered herself down to her furs. She could feel the hard earth underneath her head, small rocks digging into her ribs, but paid them no mind. As she stared up at the bright sky, filled with countless points of light, her thoughts drifted again to her troubles.
What am I going to do? How can I stop them? I'm sick of plans and more plans. They don't work. But I have to do something. I have to try. I just don't know what will work. Work for certain.
She remembered back to when she was a little girl and her father had explained to her that their people use to believe those points of light were their ancestors, looking down on them, keeping watch over them, protecting them. Then the Ta'ar arrived and enlightened them. Now they knew each of the stars was a separate sun, and many of them had worlds spinning around them just like ours. And some of them even had people living on them, just like us. She strained her neck to the North, toward the Great Vulture, and then spotted its most prominent component, the Watcher's Star. That is where the Ta'ar told us They came from. She wished They would come back and visit her. Tell her what she needed to do to make Dogahn love her instead of Azaria.

It was a long while before she slept that night. Her worries and frustrations kept her awake. When she finally did sleep, it was a fitful rest. She woke often before dozing again. She wasn't the only one. Many of the hunters slept little than night. For most, it was anticipation of the looming hunt that kept them up. Some of them, like Dogahn and Azaria's fathers, were too tightly wound with their worries of ensuring a prosperous hunt. Some of the inexperienced hunters were betrayed by their fear. Everyone knew hunts were dangerous, and often someone was injured or even killed. They feared it might be them. They also feared they wouldn't bring anything down and would return to Boar Camp with wounded pride and a loss of status. Some were just so excited to spill blood that the adrenaline coursing through their veins prevented a good night's rest.

Whatever the reason, they all woke in the early morning ready to finish their march and prepare for the following sun, when flint would bite flesh and new hunters would emerge. As planned, they arrived at their final camp just after mid-sun, with plenty of light left to prepare. Scouts returned shortly thereafter with their final reports. The word was encouraging. The herd was massive and grazing not far from a small closed-off valley. If the hunters could manage to direct the herd toward the natural trap, some would be forced into it. The vast majority of the herd would escape, but that was not a problem. They had no need for more than thirty or forty aurochs. The trick would be scaring the herd into stampeding in the desired direction.

The rumors of the promising conditions sparked a contagiously festive mood among the band of hunters. There were boastful promises of great feats to be performed, especially amongst the youngsters. Heroic songs were sung. Many of the young men engaged in wrestling matches - an endorsed outlet for their nervous energy, so long as they didn't take it too far. An injury would cast an ill omen. Everyone gathered together after the evening meal. Irizahner explained the strategy he wished to pursue and what he wanted to happen the following morning. He assigned small groups different tasks and then spoke separately with the hand-picked leaders of each one. Three groups were instructed to scale the hill on the east side of the gorge and wait in the high brush until the herd was forced into the trap. Once the stampede entered the natural enclosure, they could emerge from their hiding spots and rain their spears down on the confused beasts. This was the easiest, least dangerous of the assigned tasks. Older hunters and the least reliable were given this assignment. Daneel was placed into one of these three groups. Irizahner instructed Dizon, Luzon’s towering older brother, and another of their fiercest hunters to carefully swing their respective small groups around the northwest side of the herd. They would set torches alight and, after the stampede was induced, run southeast towards the herd, cutting off an escape route and squeezing it further south, toward the enclosure. This was the most hazardous assignment. Only experienced hunters were picked to carry out this mission. Because of the danger, they would arrive at the valley last and have the least chance of making a direct kill. But most of these seasoned hunters welcomed the assignment, understanding the importance of the task. They had long ago proven themselves among their people and wouldn't gain any more status from another kill. The assignment alone maintained their rank. They would also be given first choice among the meat that was taken from each carcass for the communities’ share. The final three groups would initiate the stampede, approaching the herd from the northeast. This was also a dangerous task. Quick, agile hunters were required. Azaria, Dogahn and Yumineh were all chosen. Tiriz and Luzon were also selected, as were a few other yet-to-be-proven hunters. Since their numbers were so few compared to the vast individual aurochs comprising the herd, they all had a good chance to make a direct kill, one in which no other hunter could claim credit.

With all understanding their roles, the hunters turned in and for the second night, deep sleep eluded many, especially the youngest. Azaria was not overly concerned with whether or not she made her first direct kill, but she also found it hard to sleep. She was worried about her mother, having been away from her now for two entire suns. In fact, she'd only decided to participate the night before they'd left. It was because Zephia had been doing a little better lately, Fahim's promise that her mother would be her primary concern and her father's assurance that she'd be fine under Ta'araki's care that finally convinced her.

Azerban stayed up much of the night performing the sacred rituals he felt would best ensure a prosperous hunt and keep his hunters safe. The mental stress of producing a successful outcome bore down on him greatly, although he had much experience as the lead Ta'araki for the organized hunts. It was a natural assignment since he was the strongest hunter among the Order. It was one he was proud of.

---

In the morning the hunters gathered together to briefly review their plans. Many had risen early to apply ceremonial paint or perform their own private rituals. They donned all variety of spots, swirls, circles, triangles and chevrons in bright white, black, blue, red ochre and brown on their faces, chests and arms. Many also made incisions on their forearms or palms and squeezed generous portions of blood out, letting it spill onto the rich earth. They hoped their offering would ensure success.

Irizahner spoke with the group leaders, making sure each understood their roles. The party loitered patiently before starting out, waiting for the winds to shift in a favorable direction. If the hunters were upwind of the herd, they’d be detected. A premature stampede would utterly destroy their plans and they’d return defeated and empty handed.

Finally, the command was given by Irizahner for everyone to set out to their designated places. The group of "ambushers" approached the hills from the east, but stopped before they reached them. The wind had shifted slightly to the northwest. To avoid being upwind, it was necessary to adjust their strategy. They’d have to scale the hill as the stampede began. At that point, if the aurochs detected their scent it would only serve to frighten and confuse them more. Irizahner saw them stop and tasted the air. The wind had shifted again - an ill omen. If it shifted anymore, all might be lost. They needed to begin quickly if the hunt were to prove fruitful.

The torch-bearing "corrallers" hurried to their agreed destinations, just northwest of the "stampeders". They had to be careful not to get too close. Finally, the stampeders, including Irizahner and Azerban, stealthily crept up on the herd, carefully crouching under the cover of high grasses and brush. Irizahner led the way, slowing as he neared. Azerban was just behind him and to his side. Irizahner paused a moment and looked to him, a questioning expression on his face. Azerban lifted his right arm and formed a fist, letting Irizahner know their opportunity was upon them. Irizahner nodded and then signaled to the torch bearing corrallers to begin their run. He immediately broke into a sprint toward the herd, shouting and waving a small fur above his head, leading the tight group of stampeders. At first a few aurochs turned and stared curiously at the insignificant band of noisemakers. They were loud but posed no threat. As they got closer however, the beasts’ nerves were tested and they grew agitated. The dams stepped protectively in front of their young, nudging them away from the distraction. Some of the bulls took aggressive postures, turning to face the strange onrushers.

At last, a heifer took fright and fled, initiating a cascading effect. In less than a moment, the entire herd was set in motion. They lumbered west away from the danger, but suddenly the corrallers were on top of them with smoke and fire. The prairie beasts feared the smell of smoke most of all and the herd turned southwest, toward the awaiting ambush. Most avoided the shallow depression, but many of those on the southern edge were forced by sheer number into the natural enclosure, exactly as planned.

Azaria, Dogahn and Yumineh, with their speed and youthful vigor, had overtaken all others and were now at the front of the stampeders. Dogahn, seeing a large male turn away from the canyon and expose his side, swung his thrower high over his shoulder, letting fly the hunt's first spear. It hit the aurochs in the upper part of the neck region, just above the throat.

Wounded and enraged, the bull turned to face its attacker.

Dogahn reached back frantically for another spear, but in his panic, fumbled it. He looked into the charging beast’s wild eyes as his spear fell uselessly to the prairie floor. He reached back for a third spear, unsure if he could notch and cast before sharp, long horns disemboweled him.

A moment later Azaria's spear landed, piercing deeply into the fleshy throat of Dogahn's bull.

She’d hit an artery. Blood gushed out. The beast dropped in a dusty heap. Dogahn halted his run, staring down in shock at the quivering, bloody mound just paces in front of him, his spear not yet notched. Grinning broadly, Azaria slapped his backside with her next spear as she ran past him. "Come on!" she yelled.

Yumineh watched Dogahn's first cast and then witnessed Azaria finish the kill. Something deep inside her snapped. Familiar thoughts of jealousy and outrage coursed through her veins.
She's doing it again.
Azaria's stealing all the attention.
Her temper overflowed, fearful she’d be beaten by her again. In a rage, she sprinted ahead of Dogahn and Azaria and took aim at the nearest aurochs.

She planted firmly on her back foot and threw as hard as she could.

Her spear dug deep into the creature’s neck, opening its throat. It collapsed immediately.

Yumineh didn't know it, but she had the first direct kill of the hunt, although Luzon's first spear downed a massive beast almost immediately after. Still running with a slight limp from his injury at the Hare Hunt, he arrived a little late, but made up for his tardiness quickly.

Determined to best Azaria, and exhilarated with the ease of her first mark, Yumineh bore on, leaping up and just out of reach of her falling kill's fatally sharp horns. To those who saw her from above, she appeared a mad woman, downing a mighty aurochs and then bounding over it in pursuit of her next kill.

She won't beat me,
Yumineh told herself.
I'm better than her.

She plunged deeper into the confused herd, dropping her spear-thrower to the ground. The massive beasts were all around her now. At this range the thrower was a hindrance. She reached for the quiver hanging on the other side of her back, where she kept her sturdier, close-range weapons.

It was becoming clear to the trapped members of the herd that they'd run into a dead end. Most were turning sharply to escape. Yumineh saw a giant bull turning, its neck clearly exposed. She planted her back foot again, staring into its dark eye.

All she saw was Azaria's face.

"'Zaria!" she screamed letting loose a second spear, grabbing a replacement while her first was still in flight. The thundering roar of the confused stampede and the enraged howls of trapped beasts ensured no one heard her scream.

The spear struck the giant male as it was turning toward her, plunging into the soft part above the breast bone. It was thrown with such force that it almost completely burrowed into the aurochs frame. Only the back tip of her spear was visible.

It fell brutally.

Mass confusion ensued inside the canyon.

The majority of the ambushers had managed to scale the canyon side, looking down on the beasts caught in the enclosure, sending a flurry of light-spears into the midst of the circle of carnage. Some of the more experienced hunters aimed for a particular beast, still hoping for a direct kill. Others were launching wildly, just hoping to hit something not yet dead. Spears struck across the gorge floor, landing all around Yumineh. Aurochs were dropping like heavy rain. Blood pooled on the valley dirt.

But Yumineh had no sense of the danger. Hunters never charged this deep into the melee, but stopped at the outskirts where it was relatively safer and picked the poor beasts off one by one.