Relyt

When I was a child, I rarely ever saw my parents. In the peaceful days of my father’s rule, “war” had been a word unheard of among our people. My parents went away to meet with the tribes near us frequently. Therefore, alliances were incredibly strong, and we as one had no enemies.

My tribe owes that to my father, for he never hesitated to attend his regular meetings with the other tribes. Therefore maintaining alliance; therefore maintaining peace.

During the occasional moments I did see them, I would bound around their feet exclaiing about the adventures I had taken, and the challenges I had conquered. Mother would beam proudly and flash that pearly, white smile that complemented her dark skin, but my father would frown and question me constantly. He would ask if I had remembered to use the skills and the tactics he had mercilessly tried to force into my brain, but my four year old mind was incapable of recalling all of his lessons when it was time for play.

When it was time for play, I was excited—too excited to remember to practice my father's lectures. Therefore, I was inevitably scolded by my father when I responded with a quiet “no” to his questions.

I could hear my parents’ hushed arguments at night, Mother whispering fiercely to my father—“She is four, Trebor! Cut the child some slack!”—but I do not think my father ever listened to her…

During the days my parents traveled, I stayed in my aunt and uncle’s custody.

Semaj and Ana Somis and their son, Invel, seemed as though they were my true family. Ever since I was twelve moons old, Ana and Samej have held me in their arms as if I were their own daughter.

My father, however, never liked this idea.

Trebor and Samej had been uneasy around each other ever since Trebor tried to win his sister’s heart in his sixteenth year. Samej tried to warn my mother that Trebor was not the man for her, but she had never listened—though she now wishes she had. Ever since their short, amateur feud, Trebor and Samej had been tense when in each others’ presence.

They did not trust each other. Therefore, Trebor’s original plan was for me to stay with his sister, Aura, one I have never met. But when she became lethally ill with pneumonia, Trebor was reluctantly forced to send me to my one remaining kin, Semaj.

Despite my father’s tension, I undoubtedly enjoyed my simple life with Semaj and Ana.

Their eldest son, Invel, becames down and drug us home by our ears! In those moments, Invel and I would exchange humorous glances and fail at suppressing our laughter.

When I was only a few moons shy of turning four, As one of my closest friends. It was him who sparked the uncontainable feelings of excitement that caused me to forget my father’s lessons. Daily, we would run out of Semaj’s tent at the earliest hour. We would climb trees and hunt frogs and chase each other in a rambunctious manner until Semaj angrily tracked una disappeared for several days.

When she finally returned, she came with a bundle of deerskin in her hand. Curiously, I peered at the odd package she had brought home and immediately jumped backwards, aghast. Wrapped within the bundles of hide was some strange creature I had never before witnessed, and I instantly feared it. I looked at Semaj expectantly figuring he would rid of the intruder, but he only laughed at me. “Go on, Neda,” he soothed. “It is alright.”

Reluctantly, I gave the creature a second glance, but I found myself unable to look away

from it. It almost looked like Invel, but smaller. I could easily identify the parts of the being’s face--his eyes, his nose; his lips. Down lower I could see his hands and his fingers, twitching slightly in his sleep.

He was like me, but so much smaller. I did not know a being could become so small…

Over time, the new child became a regular part of Semaj’s and Ana’s family. With him, he carried the name Rennoc. Invel seemed envious of the baby’s presence. Perhaps because Ana paid him constant attention, and Invel quite little.

Invel, being a year older than me, was free to do more fun things than I was. I never failed to mention how unfair that was—I told Semaj all the time!

One morning, I awoke to the absence of Invel and was quite worried, for he was a heavy sleeper and never awoke before me. Quietly, I ran to awake Semaj and warn him, but he was gone, too! When Ana saw the worry written on my face, she scooped me up and asked me softly, “What is the matter, little one?”

“Where are Invel and Semaj?” I asked.

She laughed quietly, trying not to disturb the dozing Rennoc behind her. “Out hunting, I believe.”

“Hunting?” I repeated, surprised. “Did they forget to bring me?” I felt a hot feeling bubble with in my chest. I did not know the distribution between envy and rage, but I believed I was feeling somewhat of both. How long had it been, Invel and I sneaking out together. We were always together. Now Semaj allowed Invel to leave camp for the first time, and I had not been invited. The anger settled into sadness, and the bubbling in my chest ceased.

“Semaj fears you are too young,” Ana said softly.

“I am tough!” I squeaked, helplessly attempting to wriggle out of her arms.

Rennoc began to cry and Ana placed me down on the floor and picked up the baby. “Rennoc could use a friend if you are lonely,” she whispered, and she set the baby down by my feet. He gurgled happily at the sound of his mother’s voice.

I looked at Rennoc with reluctance. He cooed and seemed to smile at me. I could not help but smile back.

Ana began to walk away at gently touched me on the shoulder on her way out. Suddenly, I began to cry. “It is going to be so lonely, Ana,” I cried.

Ana knelt down and looked at me with a soft look. “Only for a small amount of time, my child. You shall be out there before you know it!” She pulled me close into her chest as I wept silently.

Quickly, I recovered with a sniff and pulled myself away from Ana’s chest. I wiped the tears away bashfully. My father would be furious if he knew I cried over something so pathetic. I was ashamed.

Embarrassed, I turned my head, but Ana gently placed her fingertips on my cheek andlocked her gaze. She seemed worried. “You know it is alright to cry, right? This is a safe place.” She whispered, and kissed my cheek.

I nodded hesitantly as though I understood, swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in my throat. Ana smiled and left the room without knowing that I had not taken the words to heart.

On my fifth Natal Day, my father got me and unexpected gift.

I woke up with feathers of excitement fluttering in my belly. The first thing I remembered was Invel when he turned sixty moons. Samej got him his very own hunting bow and took him outside of the camp--to hunt!! I got up out of bed and dressed myself, putting on my finest clothing and weaving silk ribbon into my hair.

When I stepped out of my room, my father’s Watcher met me. “The chief has requested your presence, miss.”

“Aye,” I murmured. “I will see that I attend to him then. Thank you.”

The Watcher dipped his head and walked away towards my father’s room. With some distance, I followed him until I could see my father and met his gaze.

“Ah, Neda!” My father said cheerfully. “My daughter, please, sit!” He offered, patting the floor before him.

Hesitantly, I sat before my father and took a deep breath. I had no idea what he wanted, but either it was going to benefit me greatly, or tear me apart.

“I have a small surprise for you,” He whispered. My mother and the Watcher were both in the room, and my mother was smiling proudly. A twinge of hope and excitement fluttered in my belly. If she was happy, then this surprise ought to benefit me! Suddenly my father said, “I have decided that Aura is now well enough to mentor you as her apprentice. She shall now train you to become a Hunter!”

My stomach dropped and my heart seemed to stop. I looked at my mother and her jaw gaped in horror. A deep sadness overwhelmed my heart. Perhaps Mother just did not know. I sighed, and clenched my fists. As disrespectful as it was, I broke my gaze with my father.

The Watcher stepped forward, he too, aghast. “Chief, sir, does that not break the law?” He spoke as respectfully as he could, but Trebor would not stand for it.

“I am chief!” My father yelled, “I make the rules! I am in charge! I hate her being with Samej! That man is trouble! Had it not been for the pneumonia, Neda would have never even met Samej! I would have been sure of that!”

The Watcher flinched. “I am sorry chief, I just--”

“Leave,” my father ordered.

The Watcher dipped his head in respect. “Yes, sir. Sorry, chief.” He frowned, and hurriedly left the room.

“That was unnecessary, Trebor!” Mother scolded him.

“Do not start with me, woman!” My father yelled.

I flinched and blinked back tears. I could not imagine this. Aura, my mentor? She had been so ill that I had barely ever met her. Samej was supposed to be my mentor. That is the law! I began to sob. My parents bickered back and forth until they noticed my tears. My father scoffed at my tears and snapped his fingers. Another Watcher and a stunningly beautiful woman walked in and looked at me. I did not return their stares. I continued to weep.

I remember how much I had dreamed of my training session with Samej as my mentor.

Six moons alone with the man who became my closest friend. Teaching me his tricks and his skills and sharing with me his knowledge. We would have had countless adventures, and so much fun, but now, it was all gone. Instead, I would leave with Aura. I looked up at her. The stunning woman in the doorway who looked at me with sad eyes.

My weeping ceased.

She knew. She knew this was wrong.

She walked over to me and knelt down. “I am gravely sorry, little one,” she whispered.

“It is unfair, I know.” She stood up straight and wrapped her arms around me comfortingly, and lifted me off the ground. Against her chest I felt uncomfortable and awkward, and I could not help but wish she were Ana instead.

I knew that Aura was taking me away. From everything that I wanted and dreamed of. I was not allowed to say goodbye. To Ana or Samej. Or Invel. Would I even get to see them again? I shut my eyes tight and wept into Aura’s blouse. She ran her fingers through my hair and soothed me.

She set my trembling body on the back of a mule and gave me a soft smile. I looked around me. Everything was already packed. Aura’s belongings as well as mine. My father had planned this thoroughly. An anger burned deep inside my chest. Whatever feud was going on between my father and Samej, I intended to stop it the moment I returned home.

I gave one last look at my parents as Aura tied the mule to her appaloosa. My mother was weeping, waving goodbye with a thousand apologies in her eyes. I could understand her. She did not know about this at all. My father had been wise, and he had planned a fantastic move to get me one step away from Samej. He was playing a dangerous game, however. A game he could not possibly win.

I looked at my father and he bore a hard, cold stare that chilled me to the core. I shivered, but I did not cower from his gaze. Instead, I returned it. I stared back threateningly. He would not get away with what he had done.

Aura saddled in on the appaloosa and began to head out of camp. “You ready, kid?” She asked me.

I smiled. She had an adventurous side to her that I liked instantly. Although I had wanted to spend this time with Samej, I had a feeling that things would not be too bad with Aura. “Yes. Let us go.”

She gave me a soft smile. “You are a tough kid. I am proud of you. I believe you can do this.”

She said it as though she truly meant it, and my heart swelled with pride. I felt good, as though I had achieved something great. She patted her horse on the flank and we set off at a slow trot.

I turned back one last time to view the home I was leaving behind. Some people cheered, others looked proud, while some looked confused. As though questioning why I was not with Samej.

My heart skipped. Semaj!

Frantically, I looked amongst the crowd searching for his face. I never even tried to say goodbye, or apologize.

When I saw him, my heart faltered.

This was not the first time I had ever seen such a look of despair in a being’s eyes. I had seen it before, in one of my mother’s acquaintances eyes. When I asked my mother why the woman had seemed so sad, my mother said, “She lost her child. She is heartbroken, Neda.”

Samej was heartbroken.