X
The Ka’yno threatens Rora
(Day 49 on Tashoo)
(Afternoon)
A short while later, I heard someone scratching on the door of my room. I answered the door and saw Ara standing there. She said, “Mvilu, Kyna is here. He says that he would answer any questions you have about how the Mory hunt their prey.”
I said, “Good. I have a few questions that I believe he can answer. Those answers may help us get the meat that you need and I want. I will be right in.”
About a thalloo later, I entered the dining area and saw Kyna. “Chitekuro, TeKyna,” I said.
When he saw me, he stood up respectfully as if I were the Ka’yno himself and said, “Chitekuro, TeMvilu. You do not have to use the honorific with me. I have been Rora's friend as long as we have been alive.”
“As you wish—Kyna.”
I walked up to the table and motioned for everyone to sit. Everyone refused to sit until I sat down, which caused me a bit of consternation. I protested that as a slave I should not sit while everyone else stood. Ara said, “Mvilu, Kyna’s norotha believes as I do about slavery and taught her arothoo the same way I taught Rora. In fact, after my norotha died, TaJoola took me in, raised me as her own norothoo, and taught me her beliefs.”
I must have looked as shocked as I felt because I heard Kyna laugh and say, “Yes, Mvilu, it is true. After the Ka'yno demanded that she be killed for being an adult, I invoked my ‘Right of Capture’ to save the life of TaTyarza when I brought her before the Ka'yno. As you know, that was the same day you were captured by Rora.
“Now, I understand that you have some questions for me.”
“Yes. I have been wondering about the hunting tactics of the Mory. Would you be willing to answer any questions I have about that?”
Kyna gave what could only be described as a mental shrug and said, “As far as I know, I can answer all of your questions. I do not see how that information could in any way hurt the Mory-Talo-Vy.”
“Good. My first question is this. What kind of tactics do the Mory hunting parties use to obtain the meat?”
“There are several tactics that we use. The most commonly used tactic is to find a large herd of prey animals. When we do this, we split the party into two groups. The first group, normally the less experienced hunters of the party, will work their way around upwind of the herd. The more experienced will work their way downwind. When the two groups are in position, a signal is given and the upwind group will reveal themselves to the herd and make them move toward the downwind group. At a second signal, the upwind group will charge toward the herd and force them toward the other group. When the herd is close enough, the second group will jump up, revealing themselves and, normally, causing the herd to stop. This allows both groups the chance to pounce upon them and kill the ones they want.”
I said, “That is an interesting method. It would seem to me that method would allow you to obtain quite a bit of meat at one time.”
“Yes, it can. But, it also requires that there be large herds. Unfortunately, lately, there have not been very large herds of prey animals near the village. As a matter of fact, the last few times we have gone hunting, the hunting party has had to travel about two to three days away from the village to find even one prey animal and large herds are hard to find.”
“What do you do in those situations?”
“At those times, we will break up into smaller groups, usually four to six achohachy. These groups will set off in different directions looking for the prey. When this happens, these groups will do the same as if it were the whole hunting party. If we are still unable to find prey, the hunting party will break up and individuals will set off on their own to try to find prey. Occasionally, these individuals will find the prey when larger groups are unable to do so. However, there are dangers to hunting individually.”
“Such as?”
“Most of the wild animals near Talo-Vy are very dangerous, even deadly. If a hunter comes upon one of the dangerous animals unexpectedly, he could wind up seriously injured or dead. It is a rare hunt when one of the hunters does not get injured or killed. As a matter of fact, the Ka’yno lost one of his achorothy (1) on a hunt about a year ago. There are rumors about what caused his death, but nothing has ever been proven.”
“May I ask about those rumors?”
“It is believed that one of the members of the hunting party snuck up behind him and killed him.”
“How was he killed?”
“Several bones were broken and he had two severe cuts, one on his leg and the other was on his chest. Both of these cuts were extremely deep and the chest cut reached from his sternum to his backbone. The Ka'yno swore that someone murdered his chorothy, but there was no proof and the broken bones looked like he had been struck by a Chakootoa.”
“Why would someone want to kill the Ka'yny?”
“Ka'yny? No, it was the Ka'yna that was killed and the reason someone would want to see him dead is that he was almost as much a tyrant as the Ka'yno. The only reason he did not become the Ka'yno is that he was not as intelligent as the Ka'yno is. Let us just say that the late Ka'yna was the brawn to the Ka'yno's brain. The Ka'yno and Ka'yna only tolerated the Ka'yny because the three of them were litter-mates. It is believed that the one who killed the Ka'yna wanted to weaken the Ka'yno's standing in the village to where he would be much easier to overthrow. However, no one has attempted to overthrow the Ka'yno since the Ka'yna was killed.”
“Well, I suppose that could disprove the thought that the Ka'yna was murdered.”
“Possibly, but the other chorothy, the current Ka'yna, is very popular with the residents of Talo-Vy.”
“Would that be a problem?”
“If the challenger should overthrow the Ka'yno, both of them could be banished from Talo-Vy. However, it is not likely that anyone could defeat the Ka'yno in one on one battle.”
“Why? Is the Ka'yno that good?”
“Not really. It is just that, for some reason, anyone that has ever challenged the Ka'yno has experienced misfortune during the fight.”
“And they lose?”
“They die. The Ka'yno is one of the most dishonorable achohachy I have ever known. That is why no one has challenged him since before I was born thirteen years ago.”
“Oh, I see. Are the animals and possible assassination all that there is to worry about on a hunt?”
“No. Occasionally, a lone hunter will happen upon a roving band of achohachy, Uany or Mory. When this happens, the hunter risks being killed or captured by the achohachy. The animosity between Uany and Mory and the animosity between Mory villages are the reasons for these fears.”
“Wow. Hunting here is more dangerous than in my—village. What about weapons? What do you use?”
“We use our teeth, claws, and swords. What else would we use?”
“What about bows, arrows, and spears?”
“Bozu? Arozu? Smvyrzu? I do not know these words. What are they?”
“If you do not know what they are, it would be difficult to explain them to you.
“Let me ask you this, are there times of the year when there is plenty of game to be found?”
“Yes, now that you mention it. Every year about this time, the game becomes scarce. After a few months, maybe three to four, the game starts to return and there is plenty of game for about nine or ten months before the game disappears again.”
“That is an interesting revelation, Kyna. After listening to your description, I believe I know what is going on with the prey animals I believe that the game spends time here when there is plenty of food in the area for it to eat, then moves on to find food somewhere else. That brings up another question. During the nine or ten months that game is plentiful, is it the same kind of game, or does it change regularly during this time?”
“It changes. During the times when there is plenty of game, it is almost to the point of having the game enter the village, but there are some game animals that are always in the area. Why do you ask?”
“Because I believe this information may help you to find game during the time when game animals are not plentiful.”
*****
Just before Kyna could reply, we heard someone scratching at the door. Ara stood and looked out the window next to the door. Suddenly, she turned and said, fearfully, “The Ka’yno is here and he does not look happy.”
The first thought that crossed my mind was, “Well, speak of the devil, and who should appear?”
Ara opened the door and the Ka’yno and an entourage entered before the traditional proper invitation was exchanged, or even offered. As was the case the first time he entered Ara's home after I became a part of her household, Ara had a look of extreme displeasure on her face, since the Ka'yno had, once again, refused to exchange the proper invitation and response.
The Ka'yno was accompanied by the Ka’ Mu-Naka, Joola, Kyta, Tyarza, and several Mory achohachy. He slowly looked around and locked his eyes on mine. I saw a snarl form on his face. God, this Mory hates my very existence. I don't believe I've ever been hated as much by anyone else as by the Ka'yno of Talo-Vy. Then, he turned to Ara and said, “My-Ara, do you know where your chorothoo was this afternoon?”
Uh-oh. I guess somebody, perhaps a spurned suitor, maybe even a spy, did look through the window and took issue with Rora visiting a friend. I had to think fast. Well, when faced with this kind of situation, the best defense is the truth. I stepped forward and said, “Being a slave, I do not wish to interrupt here nor do I wish to overstep my bounds as a slave, Great One, but I can answer your question.”
“I am sure you can, slave. So, tell me, where was My-Rora this afternoon?”
“He was visiting his friend, Zo-Kyta, at her home.”
Caught off guard, the Ka’yno reacted as if he had been punched in the stomach and could only ask, “How do you know this?”
“It is because I was there with him.” Let him chew on that fact for a while.
All he said was, “My-Rora knows the law. He is not allowed to enter the home of a nohachy born in Talo-Vy without a chaperon. His violation of this law is enough to allow me to expel him from the village and I intend to do just that right now.”
“If I may interrupt once again, Great One.”
He fairly growled, “You try my patience, Uany.” I stood there patiently awaiting approval before I spoke. Finally, after a couple of athata, he said, “What do you have to say?”
“My master was not visiting Zo-Kyta without a chaperon. As I said, I was there.”
“That makes no difference.”
“Does it not, Great One? Perhaps we should ask the Ka’ Mu-Naka. He is the Keeper of the Law, is he not?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Well, Great One, do you mind if I ask him a question about the law?”
Somewhat exasperated, the Ka’yno said, “Ask your question.”
“Thank you, Great One. Ka’ Mu-Naka, would you please answer this question of law for me? As you heard, the Ka’yno has said that my master entered the home of Zo-Joola alone, even though I was there. So, technically speaking, was My-Rora in violation of the law, or, since I was there, was there a chaperon?”
After glancing somewhat haughtily at the Ka’yno, the Ka’ Mu-Naka said, “Of course. I would be happy to answer your question of the law.”
The Ka’ stood there for a few athata in contemplation. I could see him playing the different Mory laws over in his mind. I never realized that the Ka’ Mu-Naka had actually memorized the entire Mory Law until today. Finally, he turned and looked at the Ka’yno and said, “The law says, ‘No Mory chohachy may enter the home of a nohachy who was born in the same village in which he was born without a chaperon. This chaperon may be chohachy or nohachy.’ The law is not specific as to whether or not a slave can be considered a chaperon. As a result, we are required, by the law, as it is stated, ‘Anyone residing in a village of the Mory may be considered a chaperon in any case where a chaperon is required’, to allow a slave to be a chaperon when a chaperon is required. Consequently, according to the law, My-Rora was not in violation of law and, therefore, is not subject to being expelled from the village for violating the Chaperon Law, Great One.”
The Ka’yno became so angry, I thought he was going to burst a blood vessel. He was so angry his pupils dilated until no color could be seen and the scar on his chest and abdomen turned a brilliant reddish-purple. It was all he could do to even remotely maintain his calm demeanor. However, everybody in the room with half an eye could see that his anger was seething. But, there was nothing he could do about it. It seemed to him that his every attempt to rid himself of My-Rora, and me, was being stonewalled by the law.
After staring at My-Rora and me for a few athata with pure hatred in his eyes, especially toward me, the Ka’yno calmly said, “Due to the fact that, according to Mory Law, you were not in violation of the 'Chaperon Law' I cannot expel you from the village, My-Rora. You, and your slave, are safe—for now.”
Rora stood there in shock, speechless. It was obvious to me, if nobody else, that either Rora was scared of the Ka’yno, or he was fearful of being expelled from the village, probably both. He was also fearful that there was no one in the village to protect his mother from the Ka’yno’s unwanted advances if he was gone. I found out later that he knew about the advances.
Being a chohachy, although I couldn't remember at the time, instinctively, I wasn't so easily intimidated. My lack of fear, or my foolhardiness, caused me, with an utterly calm demeanor, to cross my arms over my chest and stare the Ka’yno in the eye showing absolutely no fear. I would probably even say I was glaring at the Ka’yno. I could almost see fear in his eyes. It's possible that he had never actually met someone that wasn't afraid of him and I can guarantee that I held absolutely no fear of him. He was, to me, a bully and a coward. The only thing about the Ka’yno that worried me was his cowardice because I knew that cowards have a habit of attacking and/or killing someone from behind when they aren’t even remotely expecting an attack.
Despite my attitude toward the Ka'yno, I said, “Thank you, Great One. We will consider your advice and be careful. I am sure my master has no desire to be expelled from the village before he is required to leave. We will also check with the Ka’ Mu-Naka if there is a possibility that we might run afoul of the law. Would that be acceptable to you . . . Great One?”
The Ka’yno glared at me for a few athata. Finally, he nearly snarled, “Yes. That will be acceptable.” Looking at Mu-Naka, he continued, “I know of no aspect of the law that makes what you suggested unlawful.” After saying this, he turned back to look me in the eye.
Mu-Naka nodded while glancing at me. It seemed to me that he was telling me that he approved of my actions. It also seemed like a look of respect. Fortunately, the Ka’yno didn’t notice Mu-Naka’s action.
Finally, the Ka’yno said, “Since we seem to have resolved this situation, we will leave.” Turning to his entourage, he said, “Come.” Without another word, he left.
As his entourage was leaving, one of the guards stopped for a thata at the door. He looked at Rora and me. As he looked at us, I recognized him as the guard that admitted Rora and me to the Suala Ka'ynony (2) on the day I arrived in Talo-Vy. He nodded at us, turned, and left. Mu-Naka also stopped at the door and gave us a short nod. Then he turned and left.
After the Ka’yno and his entourage left, Joola, Kyta, Kyna, Ara, Rora, Tyarza, and I were left alone. I feared what Joola would say to Rora and me. After all, even though I had met Joola and knew her, she had never been at home when Rora and I had visited Kyta. Joola had always impressed me as being fair and honest. So, even though I feared what she would say, I knew she would be fair in her reaction to what we had done.
Finally, she said calmly, “I cannot believe what happened today. What were you three thinking? I saw you walking through the market before you arrived at my booth, Rora. I knew what you were doing and where you were going to go. I did not say anything to you when you came to my booth because I do not care if you visit Kyta. However, I saw one of the Ka’yno’s spies following you.”
Because of my observational abilities, this revelation surprised me. I thought, “Was I enjoying the situation that much? I should have seen the spy long before we arrived at Joola's booth. That will not happen again.”
Joola continued, “I had hoped that you would notice that you were being followed and not stop at my home. But, when the Ka’yno showed up at my booth, I knew that you had not. I would not say anything to him because I did not want him to figure out that I not only knew about your visit but, I permitted it. You two must be more careful when you visit when I am not home.”
Ara looked at the two of us. I wasn’t sure if she was looking at us with sadness, anger, fear, or a combination of the three. Finally, I figured it out when she said angrily, “Why were you two not more careful? Rora, you know how the Ka’yno feels about you. If you are going to violate tradition or law, you have to be more careful.”
Rora said, “But, Norotha—”
She said, “Do not ‘But, Norotha’ me. You knew you were wrong. You knew, if the Ka’yno found out, he could have you expelled from the village.”
“But, Norotha, Mvilu was there. You heard the Ka’ Mu-Naka. He said that Mvilu was acceptable as a chaperon.”
I felt sorry for Rora. He sounded like the little boy that had gotten caught doing something wrong and was looking for any excuse to extricate himself from the trouble he so obviously was in. So, it was with great difficulty that I held in my laughter. However, I said to Ara, “Mistress, please do not be too harsh on Master Rora. He will not admit to it, but I am the reason he entered Mistress Zo-Joola’s home. I told him it would be all right. So, if anyone should be punished, it should be me.”
Ara replied, “Mvilu, you need not protect Rora. He will not be punished for his indiscretion. I just wish he would be more careful when he does anything that could possibly cause him trouble.”
“Mistress, I am not protecting him. I am telling the truth. From my fragmented memories, I seem to recall having always said that as long as someone is truthful with me, I will repay in kind. To my knowledge, neither you nor any other Mory has ever lied to me, even the Ka'yno, and I know he despises me. So, I will be honest with you as well. Master Rora was hesitant to enter Mistress Zo-Joola’s home. I insisted that he enter her home. I knew that Master Rora wanted to visit Mistress Kyta. Please do not be upset with Master Rora.”
Ara calmed down a bit and said, “I am not upset, Mvilu. I am merely worried. Now, let us not talk of it any longer. TaJoola, will you and your family stay for the nakymoty?”
“I appreciate the offer, Ara, but, I believe we should be going home. Besides, we both know you barely have enough food to feed the three of you. We will wait until your fortunes improve and you have enough food to share.” Joola looked at me before she continued, “I believe that those better times are going to happen sooner than any of you can imagine.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tyarza. I saw her looking at me in a most peculiar way, peculiar to me anyway. I had never had a woman look at me in that way. It both thrilled and worried me. I thought I detected a bit of hero-worship in her eyes. I had never thought I would enjoy being considered a hero, even though Terrans considered me to be one. But, when Tyarza looked at me in that way, I enjoyed the thought and feeling immensely, even though I couldn’t understand why I felt this way at the time.
I said, “I hope that you will not mind if Master Rora and I visit your home again in the future, Mistress TaJoola.”
“I would be honored if you visited, Mvilu. But, please take care when you visit.”
“We will, Mistress TaJoola. But, perhaps since the Ka' Mu-Naka said I was acceptable as a chaperon, the Ka'yno will not send his spy to follow us anymore.”
“The Ka'yno's hatred of Rora, and you, is so great that he will continue to have his spies follow you. I would make certain to be on the lookout for them.
“Oh, by the way, Mvilu. You do not have to call me Mistress TaJoola. It is completely acceptable for a slave to call a Mory nohachy Ta followed by her name.”
“Thank you—TaJoola. As long as it is acceptable even in public, I will remember to use the proper honorific.”
After I made that promise, Joola and her entire family headed for the door. Tyarza stopped at the door for a thata and looking longingly at me before she smiled at me and followed everyone else out the door. I was a bit overwhelmed by Tyarza's actions before she left. I was also a bit confused. After all, just a short while earlier, she had been ready to remove my head and hand it to me but, now, she seemed to find something interesting about me.
Ara continued to look at Rora and me with sadness in her eyes. This caused a bit of sadness in my heart but, I understood her reasoning. After a few athata, Ara went into the kitchen and started preparing our nakymoty. After we ate, I excused myself and went to bed. It had been a long day and I needed some sleep; however, before I could finally fall asleep, I kept thinking of the way that Tyarza had looked at me just before she left. I wanted, needed, to know why she looked at me that way. I knew, though, I had to wait until she was willing to let me know. Finally, after about two ahi’nu of thinking, the room started getting darker and darker until, finally, I fell asleep.
**********
1-Brothers
2-Ka’yno’s House
