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Epilogue – Lam

Dust kicked up behind him, as Lam wearily walked up the path towards the ridge above. Sweating freely under the hot sun and scorching sky, he kept going, unwilling to stop and rest. The path wasn’t steep, or treacherous, but it was long, winding its way halfway around the hillside before doubling back and leading up towards the small plateau that overlooked the village, the river, and the grasslands beyond.

The view from the ledge was superb, , the grasslands extending south across gentle hills, south towards a rise of hills, and then the great Storm beyond. Sometimes when the air was clear, you could see another river, far out to the west, snaking southwards across the plains. Lam imagined it must be immense to be seen at such a distance.

.Lam turned, and walked into the cave, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness. Shara was still sitting on the floor, exactly as she had been sitting every other time he had come to visit; just as she had been placed there two moons ago.

Sitting down next to her, he pulled the water skin and the furs from his pack, careful to avoid spilling. Wetting the fur, he gently wiped her face and arms, wiping away the layer of dirt and dust that had built up since yesterday. She never responded, but it was a ritual for him now, a way to end each day.

“Reya’s baby came today. ” He paused for a moment, to see if she would respond. “It is a boy, very strong and healthy. I’m sure he will make it to his naming day.”

“Mika’s belly is starting to show. She is always smiling now. So beautiful…”

He paused for another moment, trying to recall what else had happened since his last visit. “I think I told you already that a new family has joined the clan – a man, woman and an older son from the Yellow Valley tribe. Rik, Yan and Eto.”

Lam smiled wanly for a moment. “Barak was against it at first, but we will need spears if Jiant or his minions come back.”

He looked at her face again, to see if she responded to the name, but she was unresponsive as ever. One of the Yellow Valley women had called it a spell, which seemed like a good word for it. How do I wake her up? What do I do? Frustrated, he turned away, fighting back the anger. He wanted to yell at her, shake her, slap her. Anything to break her out of this… living death.

He stared out at the hills, slowing his heart, calming his anger. It wouldn’t be right to yell at her. She had saved them all from certain death, twice. She did not deserve this spell. She should be laughing and playing and working with her friends. She should have been there to help Reya with her pregnancy, and Mika. She should have been practicing her magic, to prepare for the dangers to come.

There were more dangers out there. Barak was sure of it. Giants, stone men, fire ants, giant wolves, Shub, scorpions, burning dead – this was just the beginning. There would be more. And they would need Shara’s help.

A soft scrape, and a clattering pebble broke his thoughts. He whirled around, surprised that he had not heard anyone coming up the path. “Who’s there?” he called. No one answered. Perhaps a wolf, or a long-tooth cat. Picking up his spear from the ground, he scrambled to his feet. “Who is there.” he called out again.

A stifled squeak came from behind a large rock. Leaping forward, he landed on the top of the rock. Below, three children were hiding, covering their mouths with their hands. His sudden advance startled them, and the youngest one, a dark haired boy of six years cried out in fear.

They should be afraid. To spy on him while he was talking to Shara? How dare they? He opened his mouth to start screaming at them.

Wait.

He snapped his mouth shut, and whipped his head around. That had sounded like Shara. But that was stupid. She was still sitting on the ground stiff as a tree, staring out at the clear blue sky.

With an effort, he pushed the anger away for a moment, and turned back to the children, cowering in fear below him. “Why are you here?” He tried to keep his voice even.

The oldest girl responded. “Tiko and Salla wanted to see the storm lady.”

He pointed at Shara. “She is over there. Why are you over here?”

“When we heard you coming up the hill, Tiko was afraid. So we hid behind the rock.”

“I was not afraid, Wai;” The boy who must be Tiko protested. “I didn’t want to get in trouble.”

Lam nodded, gently. “Your parents will be wondering where you are. Go home to them.”

The children stared at him. “Go home.” He barked, with just a trace of fire.

They scrambled upright and started to run off. Tiko, the little one paused after a few steps, and turned around. “Who is she? Why is she stuck like that?”

A good question.

“Children, Come back, ” he beckoned, “and sit down. I will tell you about Shara.”

Eagerly, the children rushed back to the foot of the rock, staring up at him. Shifting his feet, he began the story.

“A long time ago, before I was born, the spirits sent the world into a long winter, that lasted for an entire year. Many people died. But then the spirits forgave us, and taught Shara’s mother the Song of Forgiveness, which made food plentiful. But the people were afraid of the Song, and refused to use it.”

He studied their faces for a moment, to see if they were confused, but they all stared attentively.

“After a while, the spirits grew angry again, and struck down our village with a golden spear from the sky. They wanted to teach us not to ignore the powers that they had given us – to use them to make our lives better.”

“Only a few of us survived, watching from a distance. And we had to find a new home. Shara was one of the survivors, and taught us all the song that her mother had taught her.”

He paused for a moment – at least one of these children was from Yellow Valley tribe. Best to be careful…

“We had many adventures together, and saw many amazing things. Eventually, we were captured, and evil men wished to kill us. But the spirits, not wishing for us to die, gave Shara great powers. She used those powers to free us, and save us from the evil men and the great Giants.”

He paused again, remembering.

“Once she had saved us, she went to sleep, like you see here. Now, she is waiting.”

“Waiting for what?” Salla asked.

I wish I knew.

But that answer wouldn’t do. They wouldn’t understand. He bowed his head for a moment, and gave voice to the first idea that crossed his mind.

“She is waiting for the next time we are in danger – for the next time that some danger threatens our village. And she will rise up, and cast down the danger. She is our protector, and we must always thank her for the sacrifices she has made for us.”

“Now, go home and eat, or play. Or something.” He waved them away with his hands. The children got up, and ran back towards the path. Tiko paused for a moment. “Thank you Shara” he called out, and continued on down the hillside out into the bright blue afternoon.

He waited until he was sure they were gone, and then crept close to her.

“Shara,” he whispered, staring into her impassive eyes. “Your storm… it is taking away the rains.”

“I killed them all.. I killed them all… I killed them all…” She whispered.

Lam shook his head. “Please.. please.. The grasses are turning brown, the river is drying up. We’ll have to leave soon, and this is such a fine place to live. Please, help us.”

Nothing.

He waited for a time, listening to her soft murmurs. Shaking his head, he turned to go.

Something rolled against his thigh. Almost forgot.

Reaching into a pouch, he pulled out a peach. One of the hunting parties had found the tree, and brought back a sack full of them.

“I.. I brought you this.. I know how much you loved… love peaches.” He placed it gently on the ground in front of her. “It’s probably a little past ripe, but…”

He sat silently for a little while longer.

Finally, finding nothing to say, he turned to leave.

A shadow passed over the sun and the cave suddenly grew dark.

And outside, he could hear the unmistakable pitter pat of rain falling gently on rock.

He turned, but she was still sitting there, unmoving, lips quivering slowly. The peach, however, was nowhere to be seen.

Lam blinked, and smiled. “Thank you, Shara.” Uneasily, he stepped back outside, and felt the cool water splashing against his face.

The End.

Sunday, July 16th, 2006 at 10:40 am.
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