16 Stones by Paul Telegdi

Author:Paul Telegdi
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, love, journey, linguistics, shamanism, elk, animalmigration, cultureclash
Publisher: Paul Telegdi

The morning slipped by in uneasy waiting. Still no one appeared. For once the food was not delivered on time and the man who checked on them periodically also stayed away. A flock of crows settled among the flars as there was no movement to disturb them.

It was thus a great surprise to see a small procession of returning hunters carrying two deer move past the camp. The men appeared grim and were almost running with their load. They threw an anxious look in the direction of the guests, but did not speak, even increasing their strides. They disappeared behind the flars, the protest of crows marking their progress.

“What is going on here?” Chaiko asked aloud. “Where is Ushi?”

Dawn looked worried too. “Where is father? Fire-Dancer?” Chandar and Tara were also looking around in the strange quiet that strangled the camp. But there was no answer there.

For something to do, Dawn passed out some dried meat. Distracted, Chaiko took a piece and ate absently. Tara refused the food, her face for once looking pinched. Seeing her reaction, Dawn had a fresh stab of worry. She had never seen the warrior-girl afraid. “Perhaps, I should go to Doe to find out what is the matter...?” she said hesitantly. Chaiko, sensing her reluctance, nodded.

Dawn went to her friend’s flar and at the entrance called out softly, “Doe? Doe.” There was no answer. She called out again, a little more insistently, “Doe.” There was soft rustling from inside but still no answer. “Doe!”

A muffled sound returned, “Go away. Please go away.” Dawn was struck to the core, some dread gnawing at her bones. What could cause this?

“What is happening?” she pleaded. The flar remained quiet. Dawn reached a tentative hand to the stiff flap, but the hide was held closed against her.

There was a sudden commotion behind her. She turned and saw Ushi running toward their camp. She sprinted back, arriving there at the same time as Ushi. The trader was red and breathless. He struggled with great gasps of air, unable to speak, but made motions with his hands to break camp. What was going on here??!

Finally Ushi could pant, “We must... leave! We must... leave now!”

“What is the matter?!” they all asked.

“Go pack! Now!” Ushi commanded, grabbing something then dropping it. “No! Leave everything! We must go now! It might be too late already!”

“What is the matter with you?” Chaiko hurried up to the man, shocked by the face of apprehension the other turned on him.

“We must leave! It is here already! We must go now!” Ushi shouted.

“Who or what is here?” the shaman demanded, reached out with both hands and grabbed Ushi, trying to shake some sense into him.

“The Ghost-Fire! The Ghost-Fire is here!” Ushi forced out, his eyes wide with fear.

“Ghost-Fire?” Chaiko echoed uncomprehendingly.

“Yes. Fire that passes over unseen, yet it burns, and they die.”

“Die?”

“Yes, die until dead,” Ushi yelled into Chaiko’s face, in turn not understanding the other’s unconcern. But in this he was wrong. Chaiko was very concerned, for he had never seen the usually unflappable trader like this, so given over to fear.

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