King of the Fields by Isaac Bashevis Singer

Author:Isaac Bashevis Singer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780241350454
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2018-01-24T16:00:00+00:00

7

The Power of Kora

Cybula had many worries about the camp and also about his own position. Yet there was now no danger from Krol Rudy: he no longer wanted Yagoda for himself, and he told Nosek that Cybula could live with Yagoda or whomever he pleased, no harm would come to him. The real danger came from the younger woyaks, who wanted to overthrow Krol Rudy, Kulak, and Nosek and take over themselves. Cybula knew that he, a Lesnik, was despised by these woyaks.

There was also the problem that Yagoda no longer wanted to live in the camp. Neither Kora nor Cybula could dissuade her from what she had chosen to do. She had become increasingly silent. When Cybula came to her, she kissed and fondled him, but it was difficult to make her speak. If he asked her a question, she answered in a low murmur. Her voice had become hoarse and she coughed at night. Although she still caught small animals for herself, and Cybula and Kora often shared their catch with her, Yagoda was growing thin. When Cybula held her in his arms, he could feel her bony ribs. Her body exuded a strange warmth at night, which Cybula at first believed was the heat of passion. She clung to him and covered him with kisses, but the heat of her flesh and the heat of her breath had begun to make him afraid.

In the camp he had encountered many fevers and illnesses, premature deaths, and even forms of madness. He believed that Krol Rudy was already mad. For years he had noticed that some Lesniks were able to withstand cruel adversities, afflictions, hunger, and shame, while others, oppressed by some slight quarrel or insult, fell into melancholy and soon died. There were men in the camp who, although covered with blisters, boils, ulcers, and scabs, were able to live their lives to the end, while others, because of a minor ache, were soon carried out and buried. Yes, he knew of men who had died from insults, treachery, shame, and mockery, broken hearts, unrequited love, angry words, or of longing for a lost friend or relative.

That night in Kora’s hut Cybula was suddenly awakened. Kora was sitting up, mumbling softly to herself. Cybula asked, “Why are you hissing there like a witch? Are you conjuring up demons?”

“Cybula, I can no longer bear it! While you sleep, I lie awake. That daughter of mine will bring me to an early grave!”

“What is it that you want?”

“Don’t let her die, Cybula! She is all I have left.”

Cybula put on his hide pants and a pair of sandals that Ben Dosa had made for him. Kora asked, “Where are you going? It is still dark outside.”

Cybula did not answer.

“Don’t go roaming in the dark. The goddess Zla waits there for you.”

“How do you know? Do you see her?”

“Listen to the barking dogs. They see her.”

“Nonsense, there is no goddess Zla.”

Cybula left the hut to go to Yagoda. A cold wind blew outside, but he could already smell the scents of approaching spring.

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