The Rare Pearl (Broken Water Series Book 1) Page 8

  “What’s the deal with this tribe?”

  “The Forest Tribe is untraditional. They adapted to river life more than twenty thousand years ago and have built a fortress city on the falls. Unfortunately, recent generations have made changes that are not like the ways of the rest of us, causing strife between our people.”

  Calder touched the falls on the map, and then slid his finger east, along Lake Ontario. “So, there is a grove here. You will know it by its yellow flowers.” Calder flipped to another page in his worn journal. “This flower blooms most of year—very distinct.”

  Binda sketched it in her own journal along with a precise copy of the map.

  “And these are the leaves.” He tapped the drawing.

  Binda scratched out a duplicate in ink.

  “The natural trails into the clearing are hard to follow if you don’t know what to look for.”

  “I will know it, Grandfather,” Binda assured him.

  “After you collect what you need make your camp alongside the water and burn a fire. I urge you to stay close to the waterways when you can as they will offer your best escape routes. The tribespeople can only hold their breath for a few minutes—they’ve lost our ability after being on land for so long.”

  “They’re not Aquapopulo?” Harmony asked.

  Calder sat, considering her question. “They are. But they look different and have other traits. Our clan population occupies this coastline from your world’s Chesapeake Bay up to the Bay of Fundy. The Forest Tribe maintains a smaller territory inland.”

  “Are they aggressive?” Harmony disliked the idea of putting her cousins in danger again.

  “They can be—they are fierce hunters,” Binda warned.

  Calder elaborated, “They utilize every part of the animals they kill, eating them, wearing the hides, and using the bones and teeth for various things. Anything left they feed to the big cats.”

  Binda sniffed, clearly repulsed. “They keep the cats at their sides always. Years ago Grandfather took me to their city for the negotiations on salt prices. Those cats wanted to eat me for lunch.”

  “Big cats? Like tigers?” What is it with the creatures here?

  “No. Bigger. These cats no longer roam your world. Known as the American lion, the biggest cats in the Americas became extinct during your last Ice Age. Our realm did not experience that ice age. Anyway, the tribal people, the women especially, have a spiritual connection to them.” Calder grunted. “And the cats certainly are not the only fierce-looking members of that tribe. The females resemble pictures I’ve seen of the famed Amazon warriors. The men, though more passive than the females, are thickly muscled and can run for miles without tiring. When you see them you’ll know them by their tattoos, adorned animal skins, feathers, beads… They love trinkets, like shell jewelry of any kind, which is fortunate for us when it comes to trading.”

  “What do you trade for? It seems you have so much within your community.”

  “They are exceptional weavers. The cloth is extraordinary. We make very little cloth of our own.”

  “Our mother makes some of the bracelets we take for trade,” Rio said to Harmony. “Mother, show Harmony your jewelry.”

  Nami stood in the nearby kitchen, pretending to look occupied as she listened intently to her father’s plan. At her son’s request she retrieved a box from the cupboard.

  Harmony left the men to discuss details about the terrain. Binda still actively sketched. Reaching her aunt’s side, she marveled at the variety of lovely shell bracelets resting in the box.

  “I made these bracelets with local shells. Please take one, a gift from me.”

  Harmony lifted one that caught her eye. “Wow, I’ve never seen these shells before. They’re lovely. They must have taken you a while to make.” She rotated the bracelet this way and that, admiring the perfectly knotted threads holding the shells in place. Touched, she hugged her. “Thank you, Aunt Nami.”

  When she drew back her aunt held her still and stroked her hair. “Your great-grandmother was my half-sister. I wish I could have met her. I was thrilled hearing I had a sister when my father told me of her existence years ago.” Nami’s genuine smile was like her son’s.

  “I wish you could have known my family.”

  “Even though the circumstances are strained, I want you to know I’m glad I’ve met you, Harmony.”

  “Knowing I have family, even far away…well, it means more to me than you know.” Harmony spoke with the only aunt she ever had.

  Nami tipped her head toward the door, suggesting a private moment outside. They settled in chairs, basking in the sunshine.

  Nami confided, “Being the daughter of a Linker has its challenges. I’ve seen things most don’t. My father has shared secrets with me. And Harmony, I understand what it’s like to lose a mother.”

  “How did your mother die? I was told your race doesn’t get sick like mine.”

  Nami nodded. “We do have sickness, but not like in your world. The herbs my father keeps can be poisonous if taken in large doses. While he was in your realm my mother took a powerful mixture to ensure she would not wake up. My father came home to find her lifeless.”

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, shocked. Why would she do that? “Wait—He went back to visit Pearl, didn’t he? Does Binda know?”

  Nami glanced at the door and shook her head. “Binda is young and has much to learn about love and sacrifice. Yes, my father returned many times to see Pearl and his health suffered for it. My mother suffered, too, from heartache. The man she loved, who fathered her children, loved someone else. Actually, he loved both women. He promised his past was over and my mother was the one he needed to be with, but she sensed his words were hollow.” Nami sighed. “I watched my father grieve. It took many years of meditation and prayer to ease his guilty soul. I forgave him. I couldn’t lose him too. He told me things about his family on the other side, my half-human relatives. His openness brought us closer.”

  Suffering from heartache seemed something they had in common. “Wow, I thought my life was complicated, but compared to his… Nami, you forgave him. You have incredible compassion.”

  “Anger has its purpose in the moment, but it’s how you resolve the issue that counts.”

  Sage advice.

  12

  Kodiak and Rio paddled toward a network of docks at the river’s bend. A carved wooden gateway simply read Trader’s Village. Their canoe needed to be emptied and stored until their return. Docked, the group slung their satchels across their bodies, ready to begin their quest. The boys shouldered their packs, filled with supplies from home.

  “Be discreet,” Binda hissed.

  Harmony hid her hair under the hood of her cape. Calder suggested she take one of his ceremonial robes for this purpose, since the Aquapopulo didn’t wear hats. The hood seemed the only logical thing to wear on her head without drawing suspicion. Plus, the cape doubled as a coat during the cool evenings.

  The area around them teemed with activity. “I pictured this place as shacks in the woods but it looks like a small village.” Harmony strained to get a better look.

  When the dock attendant approached, Binda grabbed Harmony’s arm and drew her onto the dirt pathway. The hard-packed ground allowed vendors to move goods up and down the roadways on large tricycles. The back of the tricycles had deep barrels attached. Goods were transported from the boats to the bike-barrels that crisscrossed the marketplace. Elk carrying men and goods mingled among them.

  Harmony got her first look at the infamous Forest Tribe people. Several men, scarcely clothed, carried large packs brimming with animal skins. They stood out not only from their abundant tattoos but their barrel-chested physiques differed from the slender men of the coastal villages. Their skin was darker, but their smooth faces and chests were hairless like the coastal men.

  Kodiak spoke to the girls as he shifted his load. “Okay, the canoe is taken care of. Now we need to acquire the elk. Let’s head over to that hi
tching post.” He pointed across the square to a vacant spot. They crossed and dropped their packs in a pile. “You girls stay here. We’ll get the animals.” Kodiak hesitated, glancing around.

  “Go on, we’ll be fine.” Binda said, shooing him off. “I’ve been to this village many times. I can handle it.”

  “I know you can handle yourself, but you’ve never had a human along.” He glanced again at Harmony’s disguise. “And, it’s just odd she’s wearing a cloak without a ceremony.” Kodiak glowered at some men staring at Harmony. “We’ll be right back.” He hurried Rio along.

  Despite having much to look at, Harmony found her gaze following Kodiak as he waltzed through a crowd of boys. She wasn’t sure how she felt about him especially after their hug. And she was pleased to feel her ring still snug on her finger—for now. He seemed sincere when he told her he’d do what he could to help her return home.

  “Binda, what do you think of Kodi?”

  Binda removed her long-sleeved tunic and tucked it into the bag at her feet. She glanced down the lane at him and Rio, who reached an establishment featuring a large elk carved on its sign. She said, “If I could have two brothers, Kodi would be one of them. Aside from being a know-it-all and flirt, he’s a good guy. I trust him with my life.” Binda sent her a scowl. “Why? Don’t tell me you have a thing for him.”

  “Pshh. What? No way.” Harmony fretfully changed the topic. “Mmm, what’s that delicious smell?” She rose on her tiptoes to see further into the market square where a concentration of cooks labored over grills laden with smoking meats. Her mouth watered, but there was no way to get to the grills without encountering dozens of tribesmen. For several minutes she tried to convince Binda to go buy some food, but Binda was horrified to learn Harmony ate meat. Finally, Harmony gave up. Apparently, she would be on a seafood and vegetarian diet while she was here. When I get home, I’m going straight out to get a hamburger!

  Harmony asked, “Where are the tribal women?”

  “Probably in the vegetable market or by the jewelry vendors. Mostly men come to trade. They carry their loads of skins or fabrics on the elk; the big cats carry only women and are useless otherwise.”

  Harmony glanced around apprehensively, looking for the big cats, relieved none were in sight.

  Binda eyed a young man restocking vegetables under a canvas where the vegetable market began.

  He smiled.

  Harmony observed the exchange. It wasn’t the only detail she noticed concerning her cousin. Binda had changed from her modest tunic into a fitted vest-style top that cropped at her waist, displaying six tattoos, not including the Linker’s mark. Harmony had seen the tattoos before, but Binda seemed more comfortable as she appeared now.

  “He’s cute,” Harmony commented. “What’s he selling?”

  “Pears. Maybe we should buy some.” Binda grinned.

  Harmony thought she was pretty with a smile and sparkling azure eyes.

  Kodiak and Rio returned with two elk in tow and secured them to the post. Harmony’s reality felt surreal. They should be horses! She said, “Binda and I are going over there to buy some fruit while you get the gear loaded. We’ll only be a few minutes.”

  Kodiak studied the tent mobbed with tribesmen. “Binda can go. I want you to stay nearby.”

  She sent Binda a pleading look, hoping Binda would stick up for her, but instead her insufferable cousin gave a half-shrug and walked away. Harmony crossed her arms and sullenly watched Rio, who double checked the saddle straps before loading the supply bundles.

  He straightened, his brow furrowed. “I just realized we need an additional bedroll. I’ll go purchase one.”

  Harmony drifted into the lane, lost in thought. Kodiak could tell she was irritated. She wanted to explore, but under the circumstances he made the right choice regarding her safety. “Hey, I said stay close,” he repeated.

  She marched two steps closer, exaggerating her point. He tried not to laugh. A moment later she inched closer and closer to the animals before asking him, “Are these things friendly? Can I pat them or will they bite me?”

  “They are completely docile and will only bite if you stick a finger in their mouth.”

  Tentatively she reached, touching the elk’s velvety, plush antlers. A smile stretched across her face, her earlier annoyance forgotten. She rubbed his nose and looked into his dark eyes, which regarded her with interest. The animal sniffed for food, causing her to giggle. “You are a handsome fellow. I’m sorry I don’t have anything for you,” she cooed.

  Kodiak couldn’t help but grin as she talked to the dumb animal. “He doesn’t know what you’re saying. He only takes commands.”

  She lifted her hand to gesture, but before she could retort, the animal dropped its head to the grass, smacking her in the head with its wide antlers.

  “Ouch!” Stepping clear, she rubbed her forehead. “Those things are a hazard!” She burst out laughing but immediately pressed her fist to her lips, stifling further noise. Many dark heads turned in her direction.

  “Oops! Can they see my hair?” She drew the hood closer to her eyebrows.

  Kodiak suppressed a laugh. “No, it’s not your hair.” He lifted a bed roll and caught two males gawking at her.

  “My laugh?” She stepped closer to him.

  He’d been captivated by her giggles and attempts to befriend the beast, but shook his head, avoiding her.

  “What is it then?” she whispered, inching closer still and placing her hand on his arm, her eyes wide with concern.

  At first he focused on the wool fabric in his hands, though her nearness made his heart race. He scanned her face. “It’s not only your hair that is striking. You are beautifully exotic.”

  Swallowing her embarrassment, she backed away. “That’s absurd.”

  Rio walked up with his load and swung the bundles onto the back of the saddle. Binda appeared behind him, adjusting her full satchel.

  “Looks like we are ready,” said Kodiak.

  “I’ll ride with you, Rio, if that’s all right?” Harmony asked. “I’ll tell you stories from the human realm.”

  Rio mounted and pulled Harmony up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and whispered into his ear. He laughed.

  Binda mounted behind Kodiak, who couldn’t help but think Harmony sat too close to Rio. As the trader’s village disappeared behind them, Harmony slid her hood off. The golden tones in her hair shimmered in the sunlight. Kodiak itched to touch it.

  They rode for hours, stopping once at an outpost to feed the animals and themselves. After they dismounted, Harmony chuckled at her stretching companions, glad she wasn’t the only one suffering from a long ride in the saddle. The outpost reminded her of a giant general store with barns and yards for elk and not much more. Harmony did notice rooms were available for rent on the upper floor, but it seemed like most people were just passing through, like at a rest stop along an interstate.

  During the ride after their hurried meal, she enjoyed constant conversation and laughs with Rio. Eventually the group slowed to a stop.

  “It’s getting dark. We should make camp soon,” Binda suggested. “We’re too far from the next outpost to make it there tonight.” Ahead was a stream, precisely what they needed to water the animals and wash off after the dusty ride.

  “We’ll make camp here for the night,” Kodi replied.

  Binda hopped down and offered to gather firewood. Harmony flexed her back once her feet were firmly planted on the grass, and then she helped Rio unload the goods from the animals. They made quick work of settling the elk, starting a fire, and warming a meal.

  Riding the elk had been bizarre but fun and Harmony considered what Calder said about the cats. Was it so unusual to have big cats as pets? In Fact, she hadn’t seen any pets, not even a stray dog. “Do people have pets here? I’m aware of the big cats, but do you have little cats too?” She asked the group sat around the fire.

  Binda clucked and set her dinner bowl aside. “Y
es, there are smaller cats, but who would want to touch a dirty animal or have one in their dwelling—yuck!”

  “I would, I happen to like cats.” Harmony challenged.

  “Well, I guess humans have more in common with the tribes.” Binda remarked, condescendingly.

  “Just because you don’t like what humans like doesn’t mean you should look down on us,” Harmony shouted. She’d had it. After everything she tried to do to befriend Binda, plus the many hours of riding which left her tired, sore, and cranky, she cracked. She’d been denied meat and dined on rice in broth; her stomach still growled.

  Everyone froze, staring at her.

  She sighed, realizing that losing her cool wasn’t productive. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled. I’m just tired…and still feeling a bit lost.”

  Rio gave her a reassuring smile, “Don’t worry, cousin.”

  Binda’s tone eased up. “The pet relationships you are talking about are similar to the relationships as we have with dolphins. An aquatic race, it’s natural we have a close connection to sea-going mammals. We play with pods when out for a leisurely swim. South of here people train dolphins, like you would a dog.”

  “Oh, I remember learning about dogs.” Rio tapped at his temple, recalling. “They look like wolves.”

  The talk died down and they laid their bedrolls just outside the ring of flames. Rio was the first to snore softly. Binda settled quickly too.

  Harmony imagined swimming and frolicking with dolphins, but they kept evaporating from her mind. She wiggled around, trying to get comfortable and stay warm. She wasn’t used to sleeping on the ground, despite the soft moss and her padded bed roll, and she just couldn’t get comfy. The breeze continued to tug her robe back regardless of her efforts to tuck it between her knees. Is this how it’s going to be, sleeping on the hard, cold ground for weeks!

  “Harmony…”

  She lifted her head. “What?”

  “Are you cold?” Kodiak asked, bracing himself on his elbow.