Aella (manxman) - ON HOLD - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

"Vreis!"
His small arms held my waist tightly as he lunged himself at me.
"Cewi you're back!! Did you miss me? Did my fathew send you to get me? I miss him, how is he? Did you sail? Did-did you swimmm?? Do you twain? And hunt tigews?"
"I smell fish in the bag. The fish is mine" Epona stood with her hand on her hip, smirking like she owned the whole mountain, "Hey Ceri, little turtle was crying last week"
"I didn't cwy!"
"He cried for an hour and refused to eat. He wanted to come visit you and papa"
Vreis pouted and hid his face against my stomach. "I missed you..."
I patted his head and Epona sprinted closer and hugged me over Vreis. "I'm glad you're back. Let's play! Other children are stupid around here"
I kept an arm on Vreis and I hugged Epona with the other. Since I left the mountain, I didn't really take the time to think about them. Now that they were here, I realized how much I missed them.
"You two got taller"
They laughed and hugged me more. We didn't talk further because I was pushed forward by one of the Aella-hunters who had climbed after me. I stumbled but managed to avoid falling over.
"Hey!! Don't treat him that way! He's MY brother!"
My eyes went wide as I watched Epona glare defiantly at one of the hunters. I was suddenly both terrified and amazed. She had never acted this way before. No one ever speaks so boldly to a hunter. Not even the Leader raises her voice at them.
Vreis' hands clutched tighter on my clothes and I pulled Epona to stop her from provoking anyone. It would be horrible if any of them held a grudge against her. And to think she would understand that? The little girl hissed their way like a snake.
The Aella-hunters didn't look pleased in the least. The rest of the Aellas were gathering around us. They were still in a state of shock to my presence. I misinterpreted their silence as acceptance. Soon, very soon, I was about to discover the truth.
The herd was getting thicker around us pretty quickly, and I actually checked if I could sneak away, to anywhere but the center of attention. However, they were closing in and with the hunters behind me, I didn't have much of a choice but to remain put.
"Aello Ceri!" I turned to see a familiar vibrating red hair, falling in heavy locks around a smiling face. "I never thought we'd meet this soon, Aello. I was looking forward to seeing you on the next Agape, yet here you are. I'm so glad"
Siena was smiling seductively at me. She actually looked happy to see me as she threw her hair behind her shoulder and hurried my way. She went to say something else, but one of the Aellas stepped before her and pushed her not too kindly. Siena glared at her and went to protest, but she wasn't given the chance.
"You will not get close to him, young Aella! You will not talk to him and I will make sure your mother reminds you well of our rules once she gets back from the hunting grounds!"
Siena scoffed and looked away, displeased for being treated that way. She wasn't the kind of Aella to be scolded or looked down at. She had a sharp tongue and a very strong mother to back her up. It was odd to see her being treated like that.
And that was all it took for the Aellas to realize that my presence was causing them... well, everything bad, actually.
Challenge, insult, test, disrespect, danger and even doom. My mere existence was a declaration of all of that. And they started to argue among themselves. They were speculating on the purpose of my visit as well as ways to send me back or punish me. Even throwing me off the mountain to serve as a lesson to all Aellos was suggested. More than once.
Siena was yelling back at a couple of Aellas who were threatening to tell Rhonwen on her. Another few Aellas were getting closer to me and giving me looks I didn't understand. It was like, seduction but scary. And then, there were all these Aellas arguing about not only me but the Aellos in general, something about reminding them of the rules. Others actually suggested to stop taking offense and getting angry over silly matter. They said that the tough Aellas were making them look less feminine and less desirable.
As their voices got louder, it felt like they all melted together into a headache. All I could do was stand there and try to look like I was strong enough to face their accusations and their frenzy. Yet all I could really keep track of was holding Epona back and keeping her from sneering or threatening the herd around us.
Oh spirits up above, please protect us and bring this long day to a peaceful night.
And just when I thought it would never end, I heard the warmest voice ever.
"My child! My baby!"
I turned to see the dear Halina and my heart fluttered in my chest. I suddenly felt safe again. Like, it was alright to be vulnerable because she was there. She would always protect me, no matter what.
She pushed through the crowd. I gulped and did my best to look strong and composed. I pushed Vreis slightly and took a couple of steps towards her. Then I bowed to the waist in respect.
"Mother, I... I'm happy to see you're well"
"My child..." She hugged me tightly and I breathed her unique scent. Her voice was strained as she laughed and checked me to see that I was well.
"I can't believe you're here! Ceri, my child, I am sorry. I am so sorry for what happened"
"It's alright, Halina. Everything you did was for my own good. You were protecting me. And Alev is very kind to me. I don't care that he claimed me late anymore"
"No, not that. I'm sorry I let you go! I'm used to having you safely by my side, I should have never let them take you away"
I chuckled and hugged her. My aunt was so loving and generous.
Now that Halina was by my side, the Aella hunters took a step back in respect for her, which fed Epona's ego even more. Now the little girl looked smug and she stood beside us like an arrogant hunter.
Also, the Aellas who weren't against my presence were now able to voice their opinion. They were mostly curious about me, about how I survived so far and how Alev treated me. A very few were happy to see me. They congratulated me and said I became handsome and that Halina should be very proud of me. One of them was Moina who insisted I had more muscles now, which made me blush immediately.
"He shouldn't be here, Halina. This is so wrong. What if... what if something bad happens because of this?" One of the Aellas said. She wasn't yelling or anything. She was hugging her baby girl to her chest and looking deeply concerned. The fear in her eyes surprised me.
The Aellas may be merciless sometimes, but right now, they were truly freaked out. By me
"I expect there's a good reason for you to climb all the way up here"
The Aellas dispersed enough for the Leader to come forward. They bowed their heads in respect and I kneeled, and then bowed low to greet her.
"I... I come with a message from Leader Cailyn to you, Leader Sosanbra"
Chaos erupted once more among the Aellas. Ula was yelling so hard, I thought she might actually die. I felt a tinge of guilt because I thought that wouldn't be such a terrible thing.
... "Think about the consequences, Sosanbra. If they don't learn their place, they will invade us! You think they'll be kind and good to the young Aellas when they do??"
"Leader, this is getting out of hand. How could they ignore you? This is so disrespectful!"
"Who says they're not in our territory already!"
With that, the Aellas couldn't be calmed down anymore. Halina was pushing them back the best she could, the Aella-hunters were ordering them to shut up, and yet they panicked. Some even ran away from the edge and took the children with them.
I spoke up. I told them none of that was happening, but no one listened. My voice drowned in theirs and Halina was too busy to notice one of the hunters pulling me back and accusing me of wreaking havoc in their clan.
"Cut off his head!" one suggested.
"Nooo!!" Halina screamed to the horrifying suggestion. Even the hunters scowled at that, but Ula welcomed it.
"We need to show our strength," she said, "we need to remind them of the consequences of disrespecting us. Send his head back to the Aellos. If we don't, they'll think we're weak and they'll take us all by force. And then our end will be on your hands, Sosanbra"
Despite the aggravated situation, Sosanbra looked very calm as she rolled her eyes, everyone going less noisy as soon as she spoke
"I'm not cutting an Aello's head, Ula. And certainly not Ceri's."
"He's one of THEM!"
"He's still Ceri. The boy who left us not long ago."
"And he's my son!" Halina added.
But Ula immediately threw back at her, and at all the Aellas. "THEY ALL ARE! They're ALL our sons! And we keep them away nevertheless because we know what most of them are capable of! We know what our lives would look like if we weren't protected here, on this mountain! But now that one of them is sneaking his way in here, it shows how close we are for the laws that protect us to crumble. Then it would be the end of this whole tribe."
Ula turned to Sosanbra once again and demanded insistently.
"Be a Leader, Sosanbra. Make an example of him and strengthen our hold on this land"
I gulped. Sosanbra didn't seem pleased to be asked twice.
"This is ridiculous." One of the hunters who brought me here spoke up, and I was surprised to her words, "It is wise to fear for your children from the unknown, but this kid would never hurt anyone. You all know him very well despite what you tell your sons and daughters. He's too peaceful and small to harm any of you."
"He's an Aello!! And he's certainly not a kid!"
"Having man parts doesn't mean he knows how to use them", another Aella-hunter, Trin, added with a smirk, making the Aellas laugh.
That was really mean, I thought as I fought the eagerness to tell her how wrong she was. I definitely know how to mate. I did it with Ithel and he even said I was the best at it. And Ithel never lies, so... well, she's absolutely wrong.
"I wouldn't mind teaching him" Siena said before she was scolded. Again.
"See", another unhappy face joined in, "See how far both the Aellas and Aellos are ignoring the laws and taking this as a joke? Leader, please, you can't let this go so easily-"
Sosanbra raised a hand to interrupt her. "I'm not about to send the boy's corpse to his father after he bravely spent six months in Saeva just so he could claim him"
..."I was so surprised when I heard about that", "Me too, that was so brave", "Aello Alev has always been one of the best", "I definitely need to see how he looks like", "I almost had him once"...
The Aellas awed about my father. For some reason, I didn't like it, especially when they started whispering about his muscles and his strong legs.
"Ula is right. We do not know their reason for this betrayal. They're breaking our laws and testing us. Or worse, challenging us!" Another Aella said, and some agreed with her. Others looked reluctant, but they didn't feel safe enough to risk defending me.
The conversation was circling back to where it started. No matter what Sosanbra said, or what Halina explained, many of them wanted to hurt me. It was probably not just because of today. Seeing how eager they were, it seemed like they were venting what they had been suppressing for seventeen years.
I don't know how I managed to find the resolution, but I took a step forward and tried to ignore the hundred eyes that turned towards me.
"You want to kill me and yet none of you asked about the message I am here to deliver. I am just here to carry Leader Cailyn's words to you, Leader Sosanbra. Nothing more-"
My trial to calm things down failed when I was interrupted. "Who says they even trusted him to tell him their actual plan! For all we know, they could be heading this way as we speak!"
Halina held my hand in hers, turning to me and ignoring everything else. "Don't listen to them. I am the happiest today after I saw you. How are you, really? Is Aello Alev good to you? Does he feed you? Is he too harsh with your training? I don't care what everyone says, you can still come back here, Ceri. I will protect you"
I smiled and shook my head. "He's a good father"
"It will be winter soon. How will I know if you're warm or cold?"
Her tears started gathering in her eyes as she gazed at me. I leaned in and hugged her. Then I remembered Cailyn's instructions, so I fished something from my bag that Epona was holding and handed it to her. "These are for you. Leader Cailyn insisted I gave them to you"
Halina opened the cloth and gasped when she saw the pearls inside. "He said he misses you and his children." Then I whispered, "He said he sees your face in the fire he lights every night. And..."
"And?" she asked eagerly, unable to hide how happy she was.
Some Aellas were already staring at the pearls with envy, so I made sure none of them heard me. "He said, he will move the mountain if he has to in order to spend the next Agape with the three of you"
She held the pearls close to her heart and cupped my face with her other hand. "Thank you"
"Enough!" Sosanbra yelled at the Aellas. "I made my decision, so be quiet. You will all stop arguing and you'll listen. Our first priority is our safety. Trin and Preeta, call back the other Aella-hunters and make them spread out and inspect our territory. Send a few to guard our borders as well. Five of you will remain here to protect the Aellas, just in case. The rest will remain in the forest until I call you back tomorrow. As for you", she added and pointed at me, "You will come with me. You will tell me what you came to deliver and then you'll go back to your land."
She didn't wait to hear anyone's thoughts. She just turned around and walked back towards the cave. The Aella-hunters went to do as ordered. Halina quickly pushed something in my hand that I didn't take note of. I followed Sosanbra and my heart shuddered when I noticed that most of the Aellas were following us as well. Soon, two hunter's were walking on either side of me, and I found myself being escorted once more.
As soon as Sosanbra and I stepped into the cave, she ordered all the Aellas to remain outside. The last thing I saw, was the scowls and anger on the Aellas' faces as they were being pushed back rudely by the hunters, and then my sweet aunt's worried eyes.
Inside, I saw a few young children playing. Lyn was a three-year-old baby with pretty green eyes. She watched me walk with awe and she waved at me with her small fingers. I started to wave back when Sosanbra's irritated voice interrupted me
"I said I wanted to talk to him alone."
I looked over my shoulder to find a hunter behind us, ready to protect Sosanbra from me.
"But Leader-"
"It's fine. He'll talk faster without any of you around anyway. Just make sure no one disturbs me and tell those women to stop yelling. They're making the babies cry"
I just realized the voice of a baby crying and coming from outside the cave, and then resonating inside. I heard the hunters yell at the Aellas outside and I flinched.
"The agitation about you hasn't completely faded yet here you are, walking right back here and rendering half my clan hysteric."
She sat on her comfortable soft covers and I bowed at the waist and kept my eyes down when I stood. Then I mumbled. "Sorry"
"How is Aello Alev? I heard he was sick."
"Sick?"
She motioned for me to sit down before her, with a good distance between us. I obeyed and sat on my heels.
"The hunters said he didn't look well when he came to claim you"
"Oh, yes. That was... a horrible first day of joining the clan. Aello Alev was bitten by a venomous snake and he almost... But Leader Cailyn brought a healer. And I helped too!"
She smiled. "What does it feel like to live with him?"
"It's great! I'm really happy."
"He's training you to hunt, I guess?"
"Yeah... we're taking it slow. He takes me with him to hunt sometimes. The forest is too big. It's really fun"
"He seems to be a good father"
"He is"
"It was, um... very brave what he did for you. Everyone is still talking about it. Claiming you after all these years as soon as he knew about you, and then going as far as risking his own life. He's the only one alive today who knows Saeva"
"Really?"
"I believe so. Does he... talk to you about things?"
"A little. But he speaks to me the most! The only other person he talks to as much is Leader Cailyn and they mostly argue. So he likes me the most, and he says he's very proud of me"
"Good, good. Did he talk to you about the Agape?"
The subject reminded me of Drita and I felt a shiver ride my spine. "Wh-what about it?"
"Did he, maybe, mention if he's coming to the next Agape?"
"Oh, you mean, him participating in the Agape? Um... I don't know"
Sosanbra nodded. I don't think she had any way of hurting my father anymore. He already abided by their command to send him to Saeva as a punishment for... me. So I didn't let her questions bother me. Now she seemed to be thinking about something, so I remained silent for a moment.
"So what do you want from me?" she asked.
It was an expected question and yet it still got me off guard. I opened my mouth, but words betrayed me and I couldn't speak. Now I was thinking about the fact that I certainly looked like an idiot, and that made it even harder for me to think.
Sosanbra sighed. "Talk, Ceri. The sooner we get this over with, the better. I know you hate being put in situations like this one, and that's why I made sure we were here alone. I prefer not calling Halina in here to get you to speak, she's going through enough already. So talk to me. What do you want?"
"I don't mean to cause any trouble. I-I just want to go home"
She gave me an unimpressed look and added slowly. "I believe there was something Cailyn sent you to tell me. Wasn't that the reason behind all this mess?"
"Oh, y-yes! I'm a messenger"
"So what is it you're here to say? I have a feeling Cailyn already made a point by sending you into our territory. Maybe that's the whole point behind this"
I shook my head and straightened my back, trying to look as confident as possible. I remembered what Halina gave me, so I reached and took out the leather with the pearls wrapped inside it. I hoped Halina had left a few for herself.
I leaned forwards and bowed again as I placed it before Sosabra before I retreated and resumed my place.
"Cailyn, Leader of the Aello tribe sends his kind wishes to you, Sosanbra, Leader of the Aella clan."
She put the pearls aside and nodded like she was used to this greeting. Yet something told me that she was hating the message already. I barely said anything, so I didn't understand. Then she waved her fingers, motioning for me to hurry up and continue.
"Leader Cailyn says, our clans have more ties than words can speak. Since as far as our history goes, our tribe has thrived best when our bonds were strong. Until today, both clans hold allegiance to each other. And Aellos, just like the Aellas, respect this allegiance and assume their responsibility to protect it"
I took a breath and continued, "Hostility has occupied a part of our history, a history that has long ended. Peace is our present and harmony will be our future. It is our duty as Leaders to help the tribe bury the conflicts and mend all hearts and memories."
Sosanbra narrowed her eyes skeptically. I still haven't said any of the heavy stuff yet, and she's already not liking this. She leaned slightly forward with her elbow on her right knee to gaze at me more. "Since he had the time to teach you all that by heart, I'm sure he also thought of a way to 'mend hearts' "
"He suggests- I-I mean, Leader Cailyn says that times have drifted us apart, and he suggests to take steps to... make both clans meet again. He wants to allow the children to see the Aellos, I mean, their fathers on times......... other than the Agape"
My voice trailed when her eyes widened in what looked like a mix of disbelief and anger. Cailyn had told me this might happen, and he insisted I don't stop, so I lowered my gaze and continued with a less confident voice, "Ch-children are the most honest and innocent of our tribe, a-and only they can soften the Aellos' hearts. Besides, the Aellos will offer more gifts-"
"Are you serious??? He wants me to send our children to the Aellos!!?"
"L-Leader Cailyn promises to p-protect them-"
"First of all, tell that old wolf that I am aware of the difference between our positions. I'm sick of him reminding me every time that he is the Leader of the tribe while I am only Leader of my clan. Then, tell him that maybe it's time for another tribe Leader because the one we have now is sounding insane"
I shrank back, surprised to see Sosanbra burst like that.
"Do......... do I have to tell him that?"
She fumed and sat back, sounding in control of her emotions but not less angry.
"No. I can say that to him myself, but not you. They may take their anger on you or worse, consider it a challenge to his authority. We don't need that right now."
I pressed my lips together and remained silent. I let her think about what Leader Cailyn asked. To say the truth, when I insisted on this, I didn't really understand how important this message was. I just learned it by heart like Cailyn said. I didn't take the time to think about me coming here once again among the Aellas. I only took this task as an escape for the test of manhood, the Prueba. I guess I should've thought about this more. No wonder Aello Alev and Ithel were too worried.
Cailyn said that I was the key to the inevitable change. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe I wasn't the right person to put this on. After all, I had my own troubles when it came to the Aellas.
"He's been planning for this for a while. Since last year, he has been calling for more meetings and sending more offerings. I knew he was up to something, but I never imagined he would ask for... the children."
She turned to me and looked very serious. "Ceri, you were once one of my people. Your time here may not have been the best or the happiest, but I did my duty to protect you and keep you alive and safe, just like I promised Halina the day I became Leader. I need you to be honest to me, more than you are faithful to Cailyn. Can you do that?"
I nodded without hesitation.
"How eager is Cailyn about this? How far is he willing to push to get this?"
"I... I think he really wants this."
She frowned in concern and I hurried. "But he's willing to negotiate! This was not meant as a warning or an insult. It's only a suggestion after all"
"No, it's not. If we refuse, we will face the consequences. The Aellos can hold a grudge against us and they may not treat us well on the next Agape, or more. They could try to get the children themselves."
"No, Cailyn is keeping this a secret! He says this is too important to let others know about it"
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, Leader. He only trusted me with this message. Alev heard it because he refused to let me talk to Leader Cailyn alone. He's really trying to make both clans closer. And..."
"And?"
"Um... I spoke to some Aellos, and I saw many in their village. They all want to know about the Aellas and their children. They keep asking over and over if their sons eat well or if their daughters' teeth can cut through meat already. Even the ones who look very scary, they... they care, just like the Aellas care so well for their children. You Aellas are too valuable to them. I sincerely think they wouldn't deny you anything you ask for."
She considered my words for a moment before she turned to me again. "Anything else Cailyn desires?"
"Uh..." I scratched my head trying to remember the rest of the message, "Something about harmony?... He said to finish with that, and he totally insists on the word harmony."
She rolled her eyes and scoffed. Then she nodded. "Well, you gave me a lot to think about"
"So... what do I tell Leader Cailyn?"
"Tell that wolf that I will consider his outrageous proposal and answer him soon. I advise you not to get back here, Ceri. Things have been very agitated lately, and I'm about to throw more wood on the fire. So thank Cailyn for his help"
"Yes, Leader"
I bowed low and she stood. "I will send you to your territory at once. I cannot let you stay any longer. You will leave immediately and I will send a couple of hunters to escort you. Next time, use the red powder you're so fond of"
I smiled and bowed again as I retreated and headed outside. The entrance of the cave was guarded by a hunter. On the other side, a herd of Aellas was waiting, some of them still arguing. I lowered my gaze as I tried to make a path among them.
I soon met a nonmoving chest. I looked up and all color drained from my face.
Drita.
She was here. I hoped not to cross her path and I was pleased earlier to notice that she was gone hunting. But I guess she came back when the Leader called for all the hunters.
I swallowed, unable to find the proper words. Maybe, 'Hello and farewell' ,
or 'Don't come into the Aellos' territory again or I will tell Sosanbra on you'
Right. Like I had the courage to say that. Maybe I should run back inside the cave and tell Sosanbra?
I had a feeling Drita would skin me alive if I did that.
I peered at her face again. I was surprised to see her smiling. Not an ominous smile or a forced one. It was a genuine smile.
"You should've told me you were coming" she whispered. I doubted anyone heard her with all the voices still wondering and protesting my existence.
"Ceri!" Halina was quickly by my side, pulling me away from Drita, and then away from everyone else. Soon, Epona and Vreis were holding my legs and clothes. Halina started to quickly ask how I was, what I said to Sosanbra and if she said anything bothersome to me. She started leading me away again, saying she wanted to feed me, but I stopped her.
I hugged her close and kissed her cheek.
"I have to leave-"
"No! I still want to talk to you, I need to make sure you're fine"
"Seeing you today has made me the happiest, mother. I will be a good Aello and a strong hunter. I'll work harder, I promise"
I hugged my brother and sister quickly and walked away, leaving Epona to tease her mother and brother for having unshed tears in their eyes. An Aella stopped me to ask about her son. And as soon as the others heard her, almost everyone started asking the same thing.
I didn't answer. Not just because they didn't give me a chance to, but mostly because I sincerely didn't know. I survived so far by avoiding the Aellos I didn't know and Alev made sure I didn't meet other people aside from Ithel and Leader Cailyn, who according to Alev 'were very imposing and not needed'.
So I tried to ignore the Aellas, their calls, their questions, even Siena's invitations.
I just wanted to go back to Ithel.
Five Aellas walked closer to me, watching as I descended the mountain. One of them climbed down after me. I was too focused on not slipping, so it took me a few minutes to realize that she was Drita. And no matter how fast I tried to get off that mountain, she was right after or beside me.
I made a last jump and found myself on the safe ground of the forest. I barely turned around when I was grabbed and pushed roughly against the mountain.
When I opened my eyes and saw who it was, all I wanted was to run away.
"You just cannot stop steering trouble, can you?", she sneered at me.
That vibrant shade of red and those sharp eyes that looked down on me always managed to make my guts tense abruptly. I wanted to apologize, but my tongue felt so heavy. Before today, it has been a while since I couldn't express myself freely.
I want Ithel...
"Rhonwen" Drita groaned and Rhonwen glared at her, and then back at me.
"Do you have any idea what Halina has been going through since you were claimed?", I frowned as I stared at her close face in fear and confusion, "The Aellas are taking their frustration out on her! She used to be a LEADER!! I'm a hunter because of her!"
She shoved me again against the rock, "She sacrificed her life for you and all you did is make her miserable since the day you were born!"
"Rhonwen! That's enough."
The hunter took her time to breathe her anger in my face before she pushed herself away from me. My feet settled on the ground and I just noticed that my knees were slightly trembling and unsteady.
"Just so you know, I would've thrown my spear through your heart if I was the one who found you trespassing. Sosanbra wants you safe, though. I will obey, but I also volunteered to kick you out of our land myself. Set one foot the wrong way and I will kill you on the spot."
Drita instantly grabbed my arm and lead me away towards the forest. I blinked. I wasn't really aware of anything right now. All I could think of was Rhonwen's angry but saddened voice ringing over and over in my head
'you made her miserable since the day you were born'