Iora and the Quest of Five by Arefa Tehsin

Author:Arefa Tehsin [Tehsin, Arefa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: YAF019030 - YA Fantasy -Epic, YAF062040 - YA Thrillers and Suspense -Supernatural, YAF001000 - YA Action and Adventure
Publisher: Bear Creek Enterprises, LLC
Published: 2022-06-25T20:24:36+00:00

The Head Hunters

“Trespassing, huh?” the young Head Hunter said in such a hoarse voice that it was almost indistinct.

Iora’s head swam and she couldn’t think of any way out. The tribe had closed in on them from all sides. Owlus clutched his stones, prepared to attack with whatever he had.

Baba slowly stretched out his hand and opened his fist to display the black and white stones.

“We just need to reach the Wacky Wilderness quickly. This is the shortest way across,” said Baba.

All the Head Hunters lowered their bows and stared at the stones in Baba’s hand. Seeing this, Iora and Owlus held theirs out in their palms. Most of the Head Hunters started to reach for the stones. But the young man who had come first raised his bow, gesturing to them to stop. A mutinous clamour rose from the rest of his tribe.

“What’s so urgent, ape, that you put your heads on the line by crossing our area?” he asked.

“You can come and witness what we’re trying to do on the moonless night at the Scar-faced River near Twitterland,” answered Baba calmly. “It’s for our collective good.”

The young Head Hunter seemed bemused and kept staring at the three of them and their outstretched hands in turn. Finally, he lowered his bow. All the other Head Hunters looked with yearning at the stones.

Two of them came towards the trio and collected the stones from the extended palms, placing the stones tenderly on a flat rock. Owlus flinched at the touch of their splintered skin.

“Scat before we change our minds about unusual head trophies,” said the young Head Hunter, who seemed to be their leader.

The three of them left the large group gathered around the flat rock.

“Phew! Now will anyone tell me what that was about?” Owlus asked once they were well out of earshot.

They had taken to the branch-paths and followed Baba, who was swinging on branches.

“We had to pass through the Head Hunter territory. Those stones are a rare delicacy for them.” Baba came down on the branch-path, scratching his hairy head with his long finger.

“They’re going to eat those stones?” asked Iora.

“I can believe that seeing the state of their teeth,” said Owlus.

“Those rocks are actually a rare plant protein, which they love. They have feuds going on with many other tribes—mostly territorial disputes. That’s why they’re so touchy about trespassing.”

“Yeah, one touchy lot!” said Owlus, “But why were those human heads so small?”

“They sever the heads of their enemies. Then boil and cool the heads repeatedly until they shrink in size. The greater number of heads one has, the more heroic one is considered to be,” informed Baba.

Iora and Owlus continued asking questions about the Head Hunters. They found it endlessly fascinating. But Baba’s hearing got worse, and his speed increased considerably.

“We have to reach the Wacky Wilderness before evening falls,” Baba turned back to face them, “Let’s not waste any time.”

“I certainly wouldn’t like to waste time with the likes of Head Hunters,” mumbled Owlus, who tried to keep pace with Iora.

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