Azaria (24 page)

She slipped her hand within his. "Okay. That's fine. Let's just walk. We can talk about something else," she said. She squeezed his hand inside hers.

Dogahn turned to meet her admiring gaze.

She smiled. "He's an idiot."

Dogahn returned the smile and looked down at the hand within his.
Tsikasi might be right about Azaria, but I’m the one holding Yumineh's hand.

They walked for a long while in silence, Yumineh not sure she wasn’t dreaming. It was what she'd most wanted for as long as she could remember. She wanted to stop him, place her lips on his, but was afraid of doing or saying anything that might ruin the moment. So instead she continued on, happy to at least have his hand. It was enough for now. Very soon, she knew he'd be hers alone.

Dogahn had suspected Yumineh had a crush on him since the Matrimonials, and now knew he'd been right. The girl every man in the three camps wanted to be with wanted him. He wished everyone could see them together, walking hand in hand. Especially Azaria. If she could see how much Yumineh liked him, then maybe she'd be more willing to consent to his needs.

He stopped.
Azaria!
Fantasizing about her seeing him with Yumineh brought a sharp pang of guilt. She needed him right now. He had to return to her. "Thanks for the walk, Yumineh," he said. "But I have to get back. Azaria needs me."

Yumineh's heart dropped. Suddenly holding hands wasn't enough. If she let him go back to Azaria now, she may never get another chance. She had to let him know how she felt. Yumineh stepped in front of him and took his other hand in hers. "Okay," she said, "but you should know one thing. I know you control your spear, Dogahn." She reached her lips up to his ear and whispered, "I would never hold out on you. If we were together, you could use your spear right now." Then she lowered herself back down and peered into his hazel eyes. He was staring back deeply into hers, his mouth slightly agape. Unable to hold off any longer, she raised herself up again and placed her lips on his. Dogahn's response was immediate and powerful. He cupped her head in his palms and kissed her hard. Yumineh offered no resistance. She tightened her arms around his neck, relieved he hadn't rejected her advance. She couldn't believe she was kissing him. It was all happening so fast, she could hardly take it all in. She felt his tongue inside her mouth and tasted it with hers. And then she felt his hands slip underneath the back of her deer skin and on to her buttocks.

She pulled her arms away from his neck and stepped back.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Dogahn said.

"No, don't be sorry," she said. "I was only..." Yumineh reached back behind her neck and untied the cord. Her red deer skin fell down to the grassy floor as she stood in front of him, fully bared. "I was only showing you I'll always give you whatever you desire."

---

Azerban made his way through the dark forest to a secret Ta'araki gathering. In preparation for the pivotal meeting, his thoughts turned back to two conversations he'd recently had with Fahim. Initially, he'd been most concerned with the first conversation, the one on the night of the Matrimonial Celebration, when she'd admitted to wanting a Natu subject for the ritual. He realized now it hadn't really been an admission. An admission required some level of resistance in surrendering the information. It was a preparation. She was planting a seed.

That was a mistake,
Azerban told himself.
All she achieved was tipping me off to her designs. She should’ve known I’d never consent to such a thing. How could she expect me to?

It wasn't until he'd almost reached the hidden, pre-determined spot that he finally recognized the totality of her strategy - and the significance of the second conversation. He recalled back to when he and his daughter had just returned from the aurochs hunt. After they'd seen his mate, Fahim had asked to talk with him alone. He'd been too distracted by the shock of Zephia's sudden turn to pick up on it then, but now he realized she'd been subtly encouraging him to skip the meeting. Perhaps then, their first talk was meant to size him up, to gauge his reaction. If that was true, then his enraged response was more than just a personal embarrassment. It had served to tip her off, to confirm her suspicions that he'd be a definite source of opposition. And that was why she didn’t want him at this meeting.

Now Azerban knew what to expect - what he was about to walk into. It would be a battle. She'd have her defenses aligned. Squeezed those that required a firm hand. Bribed those who needed a bit more.

Still, he had some hope. Fahim had taken a risk in attempting to keep him from the meeting. She would know such a strategy would have a low probability of success. She was worried. Not sure of the outcome of the vote.

More alarmed now than when he'd first set out, Azerban approached the center of the serene wooded grove, cloaked by dense oak. He counted the collection of Ta'araki already gathered talking quietly amongst themselves. All but two of the members from the three camps were present. Attempting to exude confidence and authority, he strode into the center of the group, taking Takur's hand in his. "Good evening, old man!" he boomed. Then he turned to his co-Ta'araki mate and greeted her similarly.

"How is your mate?" Fahim asked with a wry smile.

"The same," he replied. He spoke loud enough for all to hear. A bit of sympathy wouldn't hurt his cause any. "Not improving, but at least no worse."

"Well, that is something," Takur offered. "All our sympathy is with your family."

"Thank you, Ta'araki," Azerban replied.

The others had quieted as he arrived and drew close, murmuring their blessings. Azerban accepted each graciously, taking note that some were having trouble holding his eye.

When the last two members arrived, Fahim spoke, "Thank you all for coming. As you know, we have a matter of dire importance to discuss. A matter which will have serious implications for the future of all three camps. For all Natu." Some vocalized their understanding and others nodded. A few stood stone-faced. She took care to look each in the eye before continuing. "We have a grave decision in front of us. A choice none takes lightly and, I'm sure, all of us would rather not make."

There were several nods of agreement. Azerban noticed the high levels of anxiety amongst his colleagues. The Ta’araki of Swan Camp were shifting weight from one foot to another, clearly uncomfortable. He felt the same sense of unease, but made sure it didn’t show.

Fahim went on, "But difficult decisions are the realm of the Ta'araki. If any of you were not capable of making these decisions - and living by the will of this Council - you would not be here." She paused before continuing, letting her words sink in. "The Autumnal Equinox will soon be upon us. As tradition dictates, we’ll be performing the sacrificial ritual. Our task this evening is to determine what gift shall be offered." Again she paused before speaking, "We’ll now hear your recommendations."

Azerban spoke immediately, before any other had a chance. "A great bull," he said. "A symbol of our strength and of that which we cannot live without. We could not survive without the bounty these lands provide. It will demonstrate to the Ta'ar how much we appreciate Their gifts."

"Perhaps..." Izyl replied. "But we need an offering in two suns. We could not devise and execute a plan for capture by then."

Dikshar, the First Ta'araki of Swan Camp met Fahim's eyes before speaking, "The Fox Camp Second is correct. Perhaps in the future we can attempt such an ambitious feat, however it is impossible now. Anyway, I would argue a beast will not do for our current needs. The Natu face grave challenges. We need the blessings of the Ta'ar now more than ever. An offering of more consequence is required."

Azerban glared at him furiously, but the elder man would not meet his eyes.
So Dikshar is with Fahim.
He wasn't surprised. The two were close and often saw eye-to-eye. He looked around the group and wondered who else Fahim had bent to her will. Surely Umar, Dikshar's Second, whom Fahim had personally hand-picked. Azerban had never thought much of the middle-aged man, although he'd often tried to gain Azerban's favor. In fact his overzealous attempts were one of the things that made him most suspicious about the man. He tried to gain stature through compliments and slippery talk, instead of principle and courage. He had one quality that mattered most though - his loyalty to Fahim.

Azerban looked over to the three Fox Camp members. Gishim, the first, was not as easily pigeon-holed. She'd risen through the ranks just after Fahim and Takur, before they had a chance to consolidate their power. As such, she felt little loyalty to them. Gishim had once challenged Fahim on nearly every point, almost as a matter of principle. However, old age had begun to take its toll on her mental capacities over the last few winters. Now she was easily swayed.

In effect, Izyl, Gishim's Second, held the most power in Fox Camp. Despite their occasional disagreements, Azerban respected her. She was intelligent, dedicated, kind-hearted and strong-willed. She too had Fahim to thank for her current position, but Azerban had always felt she would have made it on her own. Izyl shared his opinion. In filling the power-vacuum created by Gishim's decline, she’d made it clear there were limits on how thoroughly Fahim could influence her. She often opposed her when she felt it was in the best interest of Fox Camp. He wondered if she was aware of the lead Ta'araki's current designs. Did Fahim bend her also? He berated himself. He should have talked to her. At least to find out what he was up against. Gishim's other acolyte, Eufrat, would follow Gishim and Izyl. Her loyalty was to them.

The only member present he had full confidence in was Hadir, the fourth Ta'araki of Boar Camp and his closest colleague. He'd encouraged the younger man to join the Order and acted as a mentor, preparing him for the many trials required of aspiring Ta'araki.

Izyl spoke next, "What do you propose then, Dikshar? Do you have another captive we've not been made aware of?" Her tone was abrasive and disrespectful. She intentionally addressed him by his given name instead of the title he'd earned. The status of the lead Ta'araki of even the lowest camp was always higher than the Second of another. Azerban could see she immediately understood the implications of Dikshar's comments, was heartened she appeared offended by the notion.

"We have no captives," Fahim stated flatly. "Umar, I believe you had a suggestion to make."

Azerban sighed. Everything was clear now. She was forcing her snake Umar to do the dirty work. He wasn't surprised and noticed Umar seemed exceedingly agitated. He'd never thought of Fahim as cowardly, but at the moment it was the only word he could think of to describe her.

Umar began slowly, "I agree with my mentor, Dikshar. The Ta'ar require an offering of great value. It must be something that fiercely pains us to part with. Something to demonstrate our unbending fidelity, our eternal gratitude, our commitment. A sacrifice of the conventional variety may not be enough. If we are to expect the Ta'ar to return to us, we must show our dedication, our unconditional..."

Umar was beginning to ramble. Azerban thought he sounded a lot like Fahim. It was clear she had coached him - or perhaps was regurgitating the arguments she'd used to persuade him. Either way, he was stalling. Despite his willingness to carry out Fahim's plan, Azerban could see Umar wasn't totally convinced. Maybe he was having second thoughts. If even Umar was doubtful, then maybe it was not yet too late.

Fahim, detecting the other members tuning him out, interrupted, "Umar, you have stated your argument clearly and with conviction. I’m sure we’re all appreciative. Do you have a suggestion you feel appropriate?"

Umar nodded, briefly glancing at Azerban before continuing. Azerban could see beads of sweat building on his brow. "I do, Ta'araki, if you please," he said. "I believe one who is a hunter
and
a virgin daughter will be the only offering to properly demonstrate our sincerity. A daughter of our own will best demonstrate our deep commitment. One who is highly regarded in her own right. One who has gained her own status through her own acts."

"I propose... Azaria, daughter of... of Boar Camp."

Before he'd even finished, Izyl and Eufrat were gasping in shock. Gishim looked around confused. Hadir was beside himself. The rest of the members either stared stoically at Azerban, waiting for his response, or kept their eyes as far from him as possible.

Azerban staggered backward.

He wasn't even sure he'd actually heard Umar correctly. But the man's words echoed in his head.
I propose... Azaria, daughter of... of Boar Camp.

He’d expected an unreasonable proposal, but had been sure Fahim had one of their male hunters in mind. Perhaps a young, childless man who hadn't yet tied. Or perhaps an older one, near his end. He'd even entertained the notion of Fahim suggesting himself. He'd had a great chuckle when it occurred to him. A perfect way for her to be rid of him.

But a virgin daughter? The idea hadn't even touched his mind. Who could even conceive of such an egregious, ghastly suggestion? And Azaria? His Azaria? His beautiful, innocent daughter? It was an appalling proposal. Inconceivable, corrupt, criminal.

The air had left his lungs. He was unable to respond. However, as his brain processed the information, his rage grew. An uncontrollable fury coursed through his veins.

But it was Izyl who spoke first. "Azaria? Azerban's daughter? That is outrageous!! What is this folly? A crude joke? Some sick game? How dare you make such an abhorrent suggestion, Umar? I will not stand for it!" She appeared ready to sink her claws into his face. Umar cowered. He clearly hadn't expected the attack to come from the young Fox Camp Ta'araki.