ICE BURIAL: The Oldest Human Murder Mystery (The Mother People Series Book 3) (5 page)

“S
he is all right,
”
her mother repeated.
“
Perhaps it is best this way.
”

“
Yes. It is just that I worry. Korg is too close.
”
As soon as she spoke his name, it seemed to Mara that he was in the tent again, standing behind the Leader in the shadows. Korg was behind the Leader in all things, and always in the shadows - except at the ceremonies. Then he was sorcerer, awesome to behold as he helped the Great Spirit to enter the Leader. There was power in Korg, evil power; everyone in the tribe felt it except the Leader, who brushed aside the
ir
fear. Perhaps, as the others insisted, the Leader was too good in himself to see evil in others, or perhaps…

Mara left the thought unfinished and allowed herself to drift into sleep again. Later, she felt a tugging at her breasts.
Runor
had smuggled in an infant to suckle. Was it really safe? The relief was wonderful.

Once each day, the baby came, until Mara
’s
milk gradually dried up.
Only the
child
’s
mother knew, and she was sworn to secrecy. Still, Korg had
eyes and
ears everywhere
, and they must be careful
.

Days passed, then a full cycle of the moon, and Mara ceased to worry so much that Korg and the Leader would find out what had happened to her. The knowledge that the Great Mother was with them helped. She and her mother spoke to the Goddess each day, asking for Her help and guidance, and even though there was no direct answer, Mara knew She was there.

Had the Leader not come, she thought to herself, she might one day have been the wise one for her tribe
,
as her mother had been many years ago
and her mother before her, for many generations. Then, they would have journeyed south twice each year with all the other
People of the Mother
tribes
to the sacred stones by the sea, to listen as their
spiritual
leader, the one who bore the name of
Zena
, called down the Goddess so that all could be renewed by Her spirit.

An idea came to Mara suddenly, that one day it would be so again. Perhaps that was why
Zena
had come to her, not just to save her child but to bring the Goddess back to them.
Mara’s
heart lifted at the thought and hope poured into her.

Just as quickly it drained away. Perhaps she only imagined that her tribe had been happier as Mother People, with
Runor
as their wise one. She had only been a child then, who did not understand. And after all these years, people might not wish to return to the Goddess. The Leader
’s
beliefs had infiltrated every aspect of their lives, and to be without them was hard to imagine. Besides, everyone in the tribe adored him. He was kind and generous, they said, and if he sometimes seemed cruel in his efforts to keep order or to assuage the Great Spirit, they understood. The sacrifices were small compared to the horrors that would come if they
were not
made
. The
spreading ice
,
the terrible cold that afflicted their ancestors, the fierce northern invaders who had followed
had not been forgotten. The
old people kept the
memories
alive, told how their parents and grandparents had
died
of starvation
and cold
as the ice crept across the land, how the plants and fruits had disappeared and the great herds of animals had lumbered south, with the savage tribes behind them raping and pillaging and killing all who
did
not flee before them.

Only if the tribe obeyed the rules the Great Spirit set down for them could these disasters and all the others, like floods and droughts and
storms
be prevented, the Leader told them over and over again. Most important was the rule that children born to the Great Spirit must be returned
, sacrificed on the sacred altar
.

“
When the Great Spirit comes to a woman,
”
the Leader
had explained,
‘s
he is blessed. If a child should form in her womb she is doubly blessed, for the child comes not from a man but from pure spirit. Her body remains untouched, and any child created by the Great Spirit is not child but part of the Spirit Itself and must be returned. It is in this way that we prevent the horrors from coming. Neither droughts nor floods nor endless cold, nor even the terrible moving sheets of ice that bury everything in their path, will plague us when the child is returned, as the Great Spirit demands. Only this will placate his wrath.
”

Rofina had believed this, when the Great Spirit had come to her. She had been proud to be so chosen, had felt that she was blessed to be with child while still untouched by a man - until the child had been snatched away
and taken to the altar
.

Mara had not believed. To kill an innocent babe for such a reason could not be right, and she had known even then that she would never agree.

And then the Great Spirit had come to her, as if it
had known her thoughts and
wished to punish her for them. An image of the terrifying creature, whose densely furred body was larger than that of any man and whose face and claws were those of a beast, came into her mind
. She
shuddered with fear - not so much from the memory as from the dreadful suspicion that had come to her that night. Just before a potion that had been forced down her throat had taken effect, the visage staring down at her had seemed to slip away. Behind it she thought she had glimpsed a face - the face of a man. And when she had awakened many hours later there was soreness inside her. Though she had not mated before, she was certain that what the Great Spirit had done to her was what any man did to make a child. Rofina had sworn it was not so, but Mara could find no other explanation for the infant she soon discovered was growing inside her.

She
had left as soon as
her belly began to swell
, determined not to let her baby be sacrificed as Rofina’s had.
Even if her action meant that some disaster would befall the tribe, she was glad she had acted as she did
. She
wished now that she had managed to persuade Rofina to do the same. Perhaps then her sister
would not
be as she was today.

Mara
watched her mother bend down to retrieve the statue of the Goddess, which they kept hidden in a hole in the dirt floor. Runor looked so old, so sad and frail
.
Once,
she
had stood tall
and proud
, now she always looked afraid. It was Korg she feared
,
Mara knew
; what she
did not
know was why her mother
’s
fear was so strong, strong enough to turn her into a shadow of her former self
.
All the people in the tribe were afraid of Korg, but her mother
’
s fear
was stronger
,
and that was very strange. Runor had never been afraid of any man before.

Korg had much to answer for, Mara thought bitterly, but until Runor was ready to tell her the cause of her fear she
could not
stop his persecution. All she could do was offer comfort, and perhaps hope.

She went to her mother and hugged her.
“
It
will not
always be like this,
”
she said, surprised at the conviction in her voice.
“
That I promise. One day, you will be wise one again.
”

She turned away then, suddenly ashamed.
“
Before, I
did not
understand,
”
she said quietly.
“
I
did not
believe. I thought... I thought...
”

“
You thought I was just an old woman imagining the Goddess,
”
Runor retorted, but there was humor in her voice.

Mara smiled. The smile faded quickly as a form flitted past the door of the hut. Had someone been listening?

Runor
saw it too.
“
We must not speak aloud of the Goddess,
”
she said in a forceful but almost soundless whisper.
“
We know already what is in each other
’
s minds. From now on, we will speak of Her only with our eyes and our hearts. For you are right. One day soon, change will come. I can feel it gathering around us. We will wait, and keep our silence.
”

Mara nodded
, believing her
. S
miling, s
he formed her arms into a cradle and swung them back and forth.
And when that time comes,
she was saying,
I will hold my child again.

CHAPTER
FOUR

Mara
’s
baby stretched out his plump arms. Mara-Sun, they had decided to call him, so they would
not
forget his origins. His mouth opened in a wide yawn, and
Zena
saw the first tooth pricking through his pink gums. That must be why he had been irritable lately. Normally, Mara-Sun was placid and happy.

He began to whimper.
Zena
picked him up and carried him back to the clearing, where one of the nursing women could feed him. All of them adored Mara-Sun; his flashing grin was irresistible, as were his big
blue
eyes and the thatch of
pale
hair that stuck straight up all over his head. She wondered again what had happened to Mara
. During
the
win
t
er
she had been unable to look for her
,
but now that the snows were gone perhaps she could
start again
.

An idea came to her.
She
would go to Mara’s village with the traders.
Each
spring,
the
y
set off along well-used tracks that led from one village to the next, carrying food and other items to be exchanged for the materials they needed
.
This year, she would ask them to include Mara’s village. She
would have many days to find out what had happened to Mara while the trading was accomplished.
She could
also ask about Teran. Mara had known nothing of her, but some of the others might.

Excited by her idea,
Zena
ran to
find
Larak
.

“
That is an excellent
suggestion
,
”
Larak
agreed.
“
I am anxious to find out more about th
e
leader
in
Mara
’s village
.
It is especially important to know if he is as persuasive as others say. I feel the Goddess in these happenings,
”
she added thoughtfully.
“
It is as if She wishes something from us, but I
do not
know what it is. Perhaps you will discover this, as well as finding Mara.
”

“
I will try,
”
Zena
re
plied
, and
then wondered if she could in fact find Mara’s village.
All she knew was that
it
was
across the mountains to the north
, which meant the traders might have to spend days looking for the right village
.
Teran would have anticipated th
at
di
f
ficulty, she thought despondently.

A
newcomer to the tribe called Lief unexpectedly solved
her
problem. He had lived in the north for many years and
had
traveled widely. He knew Mara
’s
village; in fact, he told them, he had passed through the place only a few moons ago
, and he would be happy to show Zena and the traders the way.

Zena had noticed
him
first when he had
come to
the
Great
Sea
to watch the sacred ceremonies
. She
had been aware that his intense
gaze
was often upon her
, though he had not spoken to her
.
Then, one
day toward the end of winter, he had turned up in the village and asked to join the tribe. He was welcomed gladly. To have new people, especially a man as able and experienced as Lief, was always good. He was renowned for his skill with a bow and arrow or a slingshot, and could hit a target with great precision from long distances with both. His well-formed features revealed little of his thoughts, even less of his emotions, but the intensity in his deep-set eyes and the attention with which people listened to him told
Zena
they were there.

Oddly, he
still
had not
made an effort
to speak to her,
nor had she tried to speak to him
except to exchange polite greetings
.
She was aware that her manner with him was stiff, even as she was intensely aware of his presence.

Larak had also noticed that although Lief did not speak often
,
people listened with great
attention
when he did
. Partly, that was because of his deep, soft voice
, which
carried a note of authority even as it was gentle, but
his remarks were also
worth hearing
. Larak was
especially
eager to know what he
had
learned
about the new leader during his travels
.
She
suspected his opinions would be perceptive and interesting, and she
was not disappointed.

“
I
have not
seen the new leader myself but I have often heard others speak of him,
”
Lief told her when she question
ed
him.
“
He is indeed persuasive and many people wish to follow his ways. Others follow
him
because they are afraid, though he does
not
use violence to make them obey, only words. In that way, he may be better than the northern leaders of the past,
”
he added, trying to keep skepticism from his voice. His travels had taught him that it was wise to determine how others thought before expressing his opinions.

Larak, however, left him in little doubt.
“
That can
also
be worse,
”
she remarked wryly.
“
It is harder to fight persuasive words than fierce actions.
”

Lief nodded, impressed. Larak was indeed a wise woman.
“
You are right,
”
he agreed.
“
I have seen the effect of this leader
’s
words. It is very strong, and those who follow him seem unable to think for themselves.

“
I
do not
think his ideas will last long, though,
”
he added.
“
It is against nature for people to act as he
convinces
them to act.
”

Larak looked doubtful.
“
Most people prefer to follow,
”
she observed,
“
and if the message is strong enough they will follow blindly.
”

Lief grimaced.
“
I
,
too, have observed that,
”
he admitted.
“
What I
do not
know is how they can be weaned from obeying without any thought of what that means.
”

Larak was as impressed by his answer as he had been by hers. She smiled at him, telling him without words that they understood each other.
“
Nor do I,
”
she replied after a moment.
“
I do know, however, that I am glad you have come to us in time to travel with
Zena
and the traders. You will be a great help to them, I am sure.
”

She regarded him for a moment, wondering whether to say more. She was almost certain that his decision to join the tribe was connected to
Zena
. S
he had seen his eyes on Zena, observed
how unaccountably shy
, even awkward,
he and
Zena
were
in each other
’s
presence
.
They were intensely aware of each other but at the same time
seemed not
to know what to say to each other.
Neither of them behaved like that normally
, and the reason seemed obvious
to her
. She hoped she was right. Lief would be good for
Zena
. There was a steadfast quality in him that might help to make up for the loss of Teran.

Larak’s face sobered.
Zena
was struggling, unable to find balance without her twin. Together they had made a seamless whole; alone,
Zena
felt incomplete, which was not surprising. Still, she would soon have to assume her position as leader of the Mother People, and for this she would need all the strength and power that lay latent within her. That they were there Larak did not doubt, but
Zena
had to realize this for
herself.
Perhaps
Lief could help her
with that.

“
You have some regard for
Zena
, I think,
”
she remarked
, deciding to test her idea. Her eyes twinkled as she saw him redden slightly. So she had been right.

“
That is true,
”
Lief a
dmitted
,
“
though I
do not
yet know her very well.
”

Larak nodded.
“
That will come,
”
she said with a smile.
“
And I am glad
you are here
.
Zena
is very vulnerable right now, unsure of herself, and I believe you can help her
regain her confidence
.
”

“
I would like very much to help
Zena
,
”
Lief confessed, and to his surprise found himself telling Larak about his experience at the Great Sea, his realization that he had to find
Zena
and be with her. He had never thought to tell anyone of that strange impulse, except perhaps
Zena
herself if the opportunity arose.

Larak smiled to herself. So she had been right about that too. She had felt the hand of the Goddess in Lief
’s
sudden appearance, as she did in so many unexpected events. Her ways were devious indeed!

She pressed Lief
’s
hand warmly.
“
That is good. I am  pleased. Take care, though, that you do not get burned,
”
she cautioned, her eyes twinkling again.
“
There is more fire in
Zena
than any of us knows. And more power. One day, these will emerge.
”

Her face sobered instantly.
“
And when that happens, danger will not be far behind. That is always the way, whether we like it or not.
”

“
I will take that chance,
”
Lief assured her, aware that he meant the words. A thrill of anticipation shot through him. A new adventure was about to begin, an adventure that would involve
Zena
; he knew that as surely as he knew the moon and the sun and stars moved in the sky. His inexplicable instinct to come to her had not misled him.

A few days later, the small group was ready. As well as
Zena
and Lief, there were two other men, Durak and Hular, and another woman called Sorlin. All were loaded down with supplies; as a result the journey was slow, especially on the third day as they climbed toward the high peaks on the southern side of Mara
’s
village. Up and up they went, past a cold alpine lake buffeted by winds, then on to the pass. By the time they reached it,
Zena
wondered if her legs would take her down the other side; even more, she wondered how Mara had managed such a difficult trek so soon after the birth. At least there
had not
been much for her to carry - not even her newborn son, she thought sadly.

The bleating of goats greeted them when they crested the ridge.
Zena
stopped
, entranced by the vista
.
Lief joined her, and a jolt of sheer pleasure went through him when he saw her
expression. She
love
d
the mountains as he did; her face gave that away. He looked out for himself, and all his old love for high places came rushing back. The scene truly was beautiful. Craggy peaks still covered with snow ringed the lush valley below, making it inaccessible to any but the most determined, and the thick glaciers that thrust out between them gleamed blue-white in the afternoon sun. Waterfalls plunged from their ridges, spilling into steeply
contoured
hills that were brilliant with greenness. The scent of flowers permeated the air; the meadows were covered with them - red and yellow and white, pinks and blues and purples as well. Around them flitted multi-colored butterflies, and swarms of bees uttered a low monotone of buzzing that sooth
ed
the ear.