Having regained
consciousness and suddenly recollecting the panther, she bolted to a seating
position with a start. Her terrified, baffled gaze however, was met with a
mitigating, polite smile from a decisively handsome young man who proceeded to
speak to her in a soothing, foreign tongue that she did not, could not truly
comprehend. His dialect, the enunciations was even varied from that of Kaimu,
his wife Ensa, neighbor Zianko or the son Yoansu’s. One thing was clear however
the danger/the otherwise certain death from the beast was gone, and the
intensions of her presumed rescuer, as far as she could tell with some measure
of certainty, were both honorable and good. He conducted himself with proper
decorum and seemed to be both knowledgeable and one of fine breeding.
Anticipating her thirst, he had quickly provided her with water from a wooden
cup, which she partook appreciatively.
Hoping that he might be
acquainted with her native language, presently she voiced her appreciation for
the rescue and for his taking such diligent care of her. Then at a loss what
else to say and just then noting his quiver full of arrows laid at the side,
quickly asked how he happened to be on this God-forsaken Mountain: was he
sporting a hunt?
But her articulated
responses were sadly, quite mystifying (baffling) to the young man. In the end,
the frustrating exertion made more difficult by the mutual attraction, all they
had managed were the polite but succinct introductions: her choosing to
announce Jiense as her name to this amicable stranger, and he in turn had
mentioned the name Svein. The ensued awkward moment of silence nevertheless was
cut short, when Svein noting that the meat was about ready, forwent the
wearisome communication and going over, and using his long knife skillfully,
sliced off some choice pieces from the main body of the skewered meat, placed
them onto wooden slat that served as a plate and brought it over to her for her
consumption.
“It’s probably not what
you are used to, but please partake some.”
He insisted; suspecting they would have a better luck at the verbal
exchange on fuller stomachs.
As Jiense was already
famished she accepted it gratefully and without ceremony, soon after chewing,
swallowing the delicious, succulent meat, not pausing even to ask, or bothering
to guess at what manner of specious she was ingesting.
In the aftermath, warmed
by the raging fire, and well fed, using a sign language, she had again thanked
him profusely for rescuing her from the maw of the panther- this time more at
ease, she utilized her innate skills and therefore more effectively transmitted
her intent. Then fell silent wondering what had happened to the beast, worst
still, what other prevalent dangers lay ahead?
Deciphering her concerns,
by means of sign language and hand gestures he hastened to convey to her that
he was both a competent and a willing protector and would most certainly
deliver her to safety. His reassuring smile was reciprocated, by a grateful one
from her. Then all at once both gone bashful, they had averted (lowered) their
eyes. That night she had slept blissfully sound, content to be under his care-
for even though she had known him for scant period (such a short while),
listening to her intuitive heart, she had placed her implicit trust in him and
thereon felt more hopeful for the future.
The subsequent day’s
journey, hard as it was, it could be said that it was delightfully exhilarating
and even adventurous. When she became tired, he offered, insisted on carrying
her and that he did, with certain ease, covering great distances despite the
steep ascent- all the while effectively shielding or periodically fending off
the all-pervasive treats from predatory animals with astounding regularity in
speed and skill in archery. Furthermore, at sundown, when they halted, in
contrast to her, he showed no fatigue.
If she marveled at his
resilient stamina, his competence, his handsome features or many other
fantastically intrinsic (inherent) attributes, she kept them to herself noting
(observing) his strange but true, humble nature and bashfulness.
Meanwhile, as he had been encumbered
because of her needs of shelter and sustenance and his other charge, of hunting
for game along the way- it had taken them additional five- or six-day’s arduous
journey, instead of two, to reach their goal.
Their subsequent path took
them right through a precarious topography of high ridges, then a dense forest,
each leg of the journey being more arduous than the rest. Then at one point,
Svein carefully pushed aside the thick foliage that successfully hid an
entrance to a deep cavern.
Before they proceeded to inside
Svein halting and then withdrawing from his pouch two sun-dried shoots (buds),
handed these to Jiense and signaled for to chew to extract their juice. The
juice she can swallow, but the pulp, she was made-to-understand, she should
spit it out. She did, as she was, told. The taste, a bit unpleasant, was both
bittersweet and sour at the same time. Then, as she chewed, a strange sort of
sensation came over her. Her head became dazed; she felt a total lack of
inhibition, no fear, as though she was now invincible. Svein, seeing the
transformation in her, smiled and politely ushered Jiense (Teuquob) into the
cavern. Further in, to (manage) cope with the pitch darkness, Teuquob hung on
tightly to the young man’s sleeve as latter led the way, navigating the turns
and twists of the rocky, unstable, and dangerous terrain with sure footing. Periodically,
there would be certain hair-raising echoes borne out of the deep that (despite
the effectiveness of the drug) still put her soul in fright; though invisible
to her, she still perceived the existence of chasms, noted the divergent sounds
of water, some gushing streams, or trickling brooks far in distance or quite
near. Then came the fluttering of wings, bats, and many other such phantom
sounds along the way, which unleashed her wildest imagination and sent icy
chills up her spine, all the while gripping her heart in an inexplicable fear.
At such times, sensing her trepidation, he would abruptly stop and seek out her
hand, then gently squeeze it with encouragement.
Since entering the cavern,
he had not uttered a single word and when once she coughed supposedly to clear
her throat from the perceived dust, rather, to get his attention, he’d quickly
hushed her by placing his hand over her mouth, as if peril would arise from
such action. Thinking that he needed his hearing to guide his advance- better
that, than thinking there were carnivorous, nocturnal winged vertebrates or
other such scary beast in readiness to pounce on them- she had remained silent
from there on.
They had advanced blindly
for what it seemed to Jiense (Teuquob) an eternity, with her imagination
playing havoc all the while on the summation of all her fears. Halting briefly
once or twice they had eaten dry rations which he had on him, and then
continued in this dangerous realm. She was relieved when long at last they
reached the end of this elongated subterranean tunnel, safest one amongst the perilous
two, that (presumably) cut across underneath the majestic mountain peak, and
finally exited the cavern. Thought it was typically the late afternoon of an
overcast day, it still took a while for her eyes to adjust to the light that
greeted them.
After a brief respite,
they resumed their journey that led them to the crossing of a stream then
another perilous ridge. Then they trudged upwards yet another steep climb,
Teuquob in tow of the young man following an invisible goat’s path and whenever
the path widened, she would opt to walking alongside him, all the while trying
her best keep up. The perpetual increase in topographic elevation however,
eventually caused Teuquob to more frequently labor for breath and to succumb to
the inescapable fatigue that plagued her every fiber of her being. This
impediment forced her resilient companion hence, to periodically make
unscheduled stops or simply carry her- an added encumbrance on top of by then
accumulated ponderous load- the bounty of game.
On the morning of the
sixth day, they had another, endless, laborious ascent. Having traversed yet
another ridge, they dove into denser part of the limitless forest and after
cutting across a heavy curtain of thick foliage they quite suddenly emerged
into a clearing.
Disbelieving her eyes,
Teuquob rubbed them and looked on. The unbelievable scene that greeted Teuquob,
which she now took in with a breathtaking zeal, encompassed a phantasmal
picture that defied all-norm- a safe habitat existing in such remote wilderness?
True enough, there up
ahead in that well-tended open space stood an encased structure that contained
within its vicinity: a sturdily built wooden cabin with a thin coiling smoke
emanating from the tall chimney at its rooftop; off to one side was a modest
stable; then a structure of a storehouse could be seen, and yonder still, a
smaller hut that clearly served as an outhouse.
A small patch of encircled ground adjacent to the hut was reserved for a
thriving vegetable or an herbal garden.
At the dominating
structure that boasted of a covered platform/ a small porch by the entrance,
there could be seen a seated elderly gentleman with a well-groomed
shoulder-length mahogany brown hair. He had a streak of white hair off his
temples that gave him a dignified air; he sported a very becoming thin mustache
and a neatly trimmed short beard that further complimented the handsome
features of his face. His judicious, prudent manner and noble bearing commanded
from any onlooker most profound awe and respect; furthermore, to Jiense’s (Teuquob’s)
eyes, with his fine, stalwart physique, he resembled more a general, a
commander in chief pondering on or contemplating some strategic warfare, than a
mere recluse. Dressed in exquisite damask attire (garb), he appeared to be
enjoying a pensive smoke from a long carved ivory pipe, which he held in his
left hand.
The very moment that Svein
and his companion had come into view, the esteemed man’s eyes discreetly
meeting Svein’s, it could be said that a glimmer of both delight and concern
had registered in those stern pupils, but still he had not stirred from his seat.
The youth presently gave
an encouraging look to Jiense (Teuquob) as if to say please advance with me,
then quickened his pace to reach the steps of the small porch. As they made
their advance, upon closer scrutiny she noted that the end of the long sleeve,
of his immobile right arm, going through the overgarment’s side slit, was
neatly tucked in under a silk belt at the waist.
Svein having quickly
unburdened himself of the loads, he now squarely faced his elder, gave a
respectful half-bow, and said in a fond, reverent tone, “Greetings, Uncle, I
hope you have been well in my absence.”
The elderly gentlemen’s
lips dawned a shadow of wry grin- a slight curving of the ends; he thoughtfully
took another puff from his pipe then rose from his seat and facing the youth,
in a clear intonation reciprocated latter’s affection with a nod of his head,
“Greetings, Nephew. Thank you for your regard. The length of your absence had
given me a pause for concern, till that is; my ears tracked (detected) you and
your willing accompaniment’s slow advance.”
The manner of his voice tad stern and reproachful, his eyes had
surreptitiously now trailed onto her.
“Forgive me, uncle”, the
youth hastened to explain, “for my negligence in failing to show proper
respect.” In reference to the girl beside him, he then quickly added. “I would
have made the proper introductions right away; however, as I’m encumbered by the
inability of properly communicating with her in her strange dialect, I’d
hesitated.”
“I see,” the uncle looked
away. “Though I am sure you had a particularly good reason for bringing her
along. Later perhaps you may elaborate on the details of how you came by
her?” With a thoughtful air he then placed
his long pipe on the small table and descended the few steps. Coming forward to
proximity, he succinctly, but astutely studied the extraordinary girl draped in
fineries that were inappropriate for surviving in the woods. Yet his polite,
brief perusal, (observation) had revealed, that other than few cuts and minor
bruises on her face and hands, there were no other wear and tear on either the
fabric that looked to be damask silk or her footwear. The total absence of
normal dirt or the least amount of dust on her garments further intrigued him.
 |
| STARK |
Discerning his uncle’s
thoughts, the young man nodded. “I have been baffled by that too uncle; clearly
her attire bespeaks of supernatural element. Yet she is, and all during,
behaved every bit a mortal being.”
“Does this mortal-being
have a name?” The uncle then asked in a voice devoid of any emotion.
“Begging your pardon
uncle, but as far as I can tell, she is called Jiense. Yet her spoken dialect
had born little, if any semblance to the mainstream or any other Indigenous
groups in Wenjenkun. At the beginning of our meeting, we have strived, but in vain,
at any sort of linguistic communication…” The uncle’s raised hand had at once
silenced the youth (cut short the babbling/inconsequential chatter).
” Hmm…And there is quite a
variety of indigenous groups within and bordering states of Wenjenkun; hence,
this mystery may not be resolved in the briefest time”. The uncle looking away
had mused.
“I presume you’ve hence communicated by way of
sign language?”
The youth nodded in the
affirmative.
Hearing her adopted name
meanwhile, Jiense (Teuquob) had smiled and raising her head and meeting the old
man’s keen eyes now, nodded to him in greeting timidly, then respectfully
pronounced her name, Jiense. She had gone along with that name, as she felt in
this strange continent it would not bestir suspicion that her true name would.
He reciprocated in kind,
by announcing his name to her in a congenial, clear mode. “I am pleased to make
your acquaintance Jiense with no last name. As we are extant (living, existent)
in this wilderness, I shall dispense with my proper last name Therran and in
kind, you may refer to me as simply, Stark.” He had pointed to his chest and
enunciated the name again: “Stark.”
Understanding, she had
uttered his name with due reverence and bowed again in proper greeting.
He in turn nodded then
smiled, acknowledging her polite attempt.
“She is clearly one of
fine breeding, which makes it more a conundrum.”
“She will be allowed to
stay with us for a while, won’t she Uncle, if not indefinitely?” Svein in his
impatience could not stay his tongue.
“You are getting on ahead
of yourself as usual,” Stark frowned. “We shall see, meanwhile it would be
prudent of us to proceed with caution while taking the necessary progression,”
then as if still pondering on the unusual circumstance, he added quietly to
himself, “yes best to proceed one step at a time...A seemingly delicate,
solitary being of high caliber surviving in the wilderness, hmm!”
“Deducing from your omitted facts, I assume
that you’d not encountered any other being, a guardian, a guide, serving
companions or such, dead or alive, within that vicinity!” He paused again to
thoughtfully stroke his beard. “Nevertheless, it’s quite rude of us to speak of
her, however improbable the ready communication, as though she is not here.”
Snapping out of it, he gave a polite nod and simply smiled at her then turned
to address Svein. “For the time being at least, please take her to your prior
room and allow her to wash up and attain some rest.”
Noting the emphasis on the
word “prior,” Svein smiled and readily acquiesced; for it was only proper that
from hence he would be sharing his uncle’s room.
Turning to squarely face
Jiense, Svein signaled for her to follow him; the two then took their leave of
the uncle and with Jiense in tow, quickly climbed the steps, disappearing
inside the cabin. Opening the far door to the right, Svein ushered the young
lady in to a small room that contained sparse, nevertheless elegantly crafted
fine-wood furnishings, strategically placed few art objects of rare, intrinsic
beauty and ornate, clearly unused bedpan with a lid jutting underneath the only
night table.
Her glance (perusing)
trailing onto the bed with exquisitely embroidered, immaculately clean silk
comforter, had inadvertently lingered. This is a quaint, eccentric luxury to
find in a rustic cabin in the woods. She mused. They were not what they
seemed.
A polite caught (a
clearing of a throat) just then from her companion drew her attention to Svein.
The young man smiling
bashfully with a hand gesture indicated to her instead the porcelain wash basin
and jar filled with water that was on an antique chest, hanging nearby was the pristine
white towel.
Without the use of
language, he as much told her to make herself comfortable, but first she may
wish to refresh herself by washing her hands and face. This room will be hers
from here on; to rest a while and if anything was not to her liking, she was at
liberty to amend or discard it.
Svein subsequently going
over to the far side, he hastily fetched the small exquisitely carved mahogany and
leather hand baggage that had contained his personal spare belongings and
private garments. Opening it, he picked up the few others that were neatly
folded in a drawer of a dresser to add to it (bureau), collected few hanging by
the makeshift cupboard and, after politely nodding his head, quickly withdrew
from the room, allowing her the privacy to adjust to her new surroundings.
Svein returned shortly
after however, with a tray of tidbits, in case she required nourishment. Supper,
owing to the work ahead, could be long time in coming.
Jiense (Teuquob) smiled at
Svein fondly- inwardly she was frustrated by her inability to communicate the
extent of her gratitude and yet same time, remained absolutely touched by the
gentle concern he showed for her welfare.
~
Svein had no trouble
settling in his uncle’s room; once everything was neatly placed, he went
outside and begun helping his uncle, who’d already, had a change of clothing,
to safely preserve and store the abundant game (the meat) in the smoke house
for their future use. They in silence worked quickly and methodically, first by
skinning, then gutting and collecting in a special clay pot the entire contents
of the innards of each game.
After a brief “Ceremony of
Fire,” where invocations/certain prayers were said and the contents turned to ashes
were buried deep in the ground, they then carefully washed the reminder
carcasses, salted each and hung them over a smoldering fire, smoke, in the shed
to dry. Ceremony of Fire was an integral part of the preparation, for their deep
rooted ideology (creed, dogma) held the tenet (principle) that an animal’s
existence came from the viscera (guts) and in this way, the hunted animal that
had given his life for their survival, would be reborn again soon after.
Thereof the life-force in the mountain would not be interrupted and the souls
of the animals would always be returned to its steward, Rognar, the Mountain
God. Rognar appeased, he would hence not hinder the future hunts or visit the
hunter with some calamity.
 |
Mountain God Rognar
|
At the conclusion of the
requisite work, both Svein and Stark returned to the cabin, fetched fresh set
of clothing, and walking alongside again in silence, for Stark did not
encourage (even detested) idle chatter, quickly trailed a well-traveled goat’s
path to wash up at the cascading icy stream. This mode of cleansing/hygiene had
always been quite adequate for the two, but with the furtherance of each step,
both had privately on the side now
pondered on the concerns and certain
impending future requirements or requisite adjustments her mere presence
would entail- regrettably impinging on many of their otherwise well regimented
routines.
Svein was not least bit
perturbed by this; he welcomed the portended changes. Same could not be said
about Stark however, even though he had thus far kept his views to himself, in
truth he had been disquieted by this untoward added burden of a guest that
could further complicate matters that were already precarious enough. By rights,
his own life should have been long ago forfeited, having already joined with
his honorable ancestors in the nether region. The sole purpose, chief reason
for the opprobrious prolongation of his existence had been to honor an oath and
to fulfill a pledge: to shield and to
prepare Svein for that impending future event, by undertaking the daunting task
of overseeing (supervising) Svein’s welfare and education in both fields-
literary, political and military. Her presence could be a serious impingement
to this objective or (perhaps) a boon to that of which was yet to be
determined. Regardless, seeing the definite hand of fate in this, he would
albeit reluctantly, accepted this added, surplus encumbrance or, a challenge.
That afternoon, as Svein
was left to overseeing to some other pressing matters, Stark, first topped the
iron kettle with added fresh water, and placed it on the burner alongside the
pot containing meat and vegetables, for it to boil. They would have the
ceremonial tea after the gratification of sustenance.
Deeming the time
appropriate, Stark fetched the small medicine box, and going over, he gently
tapped on her door before entering.
(END OF SECTION 2)
~
