CHAPTER 17 -- COMPANIONS
Somi and Kehyo approached the fire circle together. The traders could plainly see that some new relationship had been formed between their leader and the youth he had vowed to protect. Kehyo also noticed the puzzled looks of some of the young men as they caught sight of Ryela atop the nearby tent. She was sitting trance to transmit the events of her discovery to the qeegog elders, but it looked as if she were sleeping. An older man bent close to the youths and private words were exchanged between them. Kehyo saw a look of awe come over their faces, and they stared at Ryela. Although they did not understand Somi’s defense of her, his warning to them and their genuine respect for him had allowed them to accept this unusual turn of events.
Somi and Kehyo settled beside one another on the sand. For the rest of that night, they paid little visible attention to each other, but talked in trance speech. They decided that it was best not to further arouse the suspicions of the other men.
Somi surprised Kehyo. He told him that all along he could sense another in the camp, a creature who remained hidden. He let Kehyo believe that Ryela was a secret in order to win his trust. Then, in the confusion of the sandstorm, he said, he’d had to act on his knowledge. Somi moved Ryela to the safety of the beshri circle.
The time has come for openness and trust in all things between us, Somi said in trance speech. They made a plan to meet to discuss their options. Kehyo was to come out when the moon had first risen, and he was to bring his companion with him.
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The air was chill, and Kehyo’s breath came in ghosts of vapor as he left the tent at the appointed time. Kehyo held Ryela under his gahl, partly for warmth and partly out of habit. He had come to love the softness of her fur on his skin. The moon was a basket of light resting in the dark notch of the distant mountains. All was silent. Kehyo’s thoughts were racing. What were Somi’s intentions? If his father would go with them, maybe together they could find his mother. He put all speculation aside and set off at a trot toward the West, where earlier they had seen a small grove of hisk bushes.
Kehyo came upon the group of dense bushes and waited. In a few minutes, Somi approached from out of the shadows and pulled down the hood of his oket. He motioned to the cluster of hisk bushes and Kehyo followed. The sound of fabric as it brushed against the prickly spines of the bush seemed unnaturally loud. Kehyo turned quickly and scanned behind himself instinctively. There was nothing but the dim outline of the tents far away to his right. He ducked and followed Somi into a kind of sheltered open space within the bushes.
“We don’t dare make a fire here among the hisk, but I’m chilled to the bone,” Somi muttered, and clutched himself tighter about the chest with his arms.
“Then we must make this quick,” said Kehyo, as he opened his gahl. Ryela’s tufted head, shot out of the top of his garment, and at the sight of her, both father and son stifled a laugh. The qeegog looked about and then dropped to the ground. Her forepaws gingerly explored, touching the sand as if it might be somehow dangerous. After a few moments she settled down a bit, and Kehyo made his lap available for her, sensing that she was still quite unnerved by the strangeness of her surroundings. Ryela chose instead to squat on the sand, her forepaws resting between her rear legs. The humans likewise sat down. Then all three Tranced together, so as to speak without deceit and to allow Ryela to have an equal part in the discussion.
My friend, Kehyo said to Ryela, I would like you to meet...
Ryela has met me before, Somi broke in. Though I am doubtful that she would remember it, he added hastily. Kehyo was amazed.
Yet, I do remember, Somi of Orbacha. You were mistress Ona’s partner, were you not?
That is so, Somi replied with amused surprise.
I recall that you were a friend to my people, Ryela said, the tone of her inner voice unmistakably warmer. Kehyo looked from one to the other, trying to make sense of what he was hearing.
I still am, Somi answered. I am one who still believes that we humans could learn from your wisdom. I am only sorry that there are not many more who believe as I do.
It has always been, and may always be so, that the very things we need most are in shortest supply, Ryela said.
Ryela? Kehyo broke in: did you know that he was my father?
I cannot lie. Yes, I did.
When did you know?
As soon as I heard his voice -- by the road when he first met you.
Why did you not tell me? Kehyo sounded betrayed.
I cannot interfere, Kehyo. You heard the will of the Elders yourself! I can only observe and report.
I thought you were our guide! Was I wrong?
You are our guide, Kehyo, Ryela answered. This journey is yours, not mine. It is you who lead us, did you not know?
I… he stammered, I do not understand!
You are being drawn to your mother, I can feel it. Your choices are not random, that is sure.
I am being drawn to her? How?
By what means I cannot say, but it is a great power. Call it love if you wish, though I do not know its name. Ryela said, and she shivered. She turned to Somi once more.
I do not wish to rush, she said, but I, too, am cold. What are we to decide this night?
We will soon come to a choice, said Somi. The trade route turns due east to the coastal towns. It is the easiest road to Dahru, the capital of the Sanang, but it is a well-traveled road. From Nungdal it runs up the coast into the Kingdom. We will need more than luck to go that way, for the soldiers of the King guard that road day and night. Yet, perhaps we need not go that way. I have read from the annals in Orbacha. They speak of a waymeet that was once in this desert, a place where an east-west trade road crossed one running north-south. Both the west and north roads are now merely faint tracks on the land, unused and forgotten. The Traders only know the place as the Turning. To the men we travel with, this sharp bend in the road is merely a curiosity, some relic of an unremembered past, but I am sure that it is the waymeet the annals described. We can travel east with the Trading Party to the Coastal Towns…or… Somi hesitated.
Or what? Kehyo asked.
On the other hand, we could strike out on our own — north, or west. We could make progress more quickly alone, but it is much more dangerous.
Which way will bring us safely to our goal of finding mother?
That I cannot say. The road west is long and I have not followed it out of the sands. Where it leads is unknown to me. To the North are mountains as far as the eye can see. Traders do not go that way. It would mean traveling off the maps of our people. I do not know what dangers or hazards may lie on the northern road. East then, would seem to be safest, Somi said. Perhaps, Ryela can sense the best choice for us?
For that you will have to ask Kehyo, the qeegog responded.
Why must I decide? Kehyo asked.
Because it is your fate that drives us, Ryela stated flatly. You have a need to fill and a purpose here, even though you do not see it clearly.
I know only what my heart yearns for…to find my mother…if she yet lives, Kehyo said, sadly. He closed his eyes and tried to let his mind open. After a moment, he looked at his companions.
The clearest course is east, he said. Yes, we will trust the wisdom of the Traders, but I ask now for your help.
I will help you, if I can, said Somi. I have waited half my lifetime for a chance to know you. I am your Guardian and am sworn to protect you. Yet, I also wish to truly serve my people. The Sanang have much to answer for! If your mother lives, perhaps she can unite the Undaati once again. Our road will end at Nungdal, which is near the Sanang frontier. From there, I hope it will be clearer how to proceed in our search. The people of Nungdal are linked to the Sanang. Trade flows through their town, and with it, large sums of money as well. Still they are Undaati. Perhaps there will be some who are willing to help us.
I will also accompany you, Kehyo, said Ryela. I came with you to solve a riddle that began with your mother…and will end with you. Also, I have a duty to the Elders. Ryela stared deeply into Kehyo’s eyes, as she spoke. He could feel her intelligence, and her passionate need to bring peace to her people.
Then it is settled, Kehyo said. We shall turn east and trust to fate.