The Wild Hunt (Part One)

To Serve is To Live (Final Chapter of Part One)

"Chief Na-Wakee."

The man sitting cross legged on a pile of animal skins was tall, dark and surprisingly muscular for his age. His white, streaked, black hair was braided atop his shaven head in a narrow strip. The long braid draped over his animal skin cloaked shoulders and his neck was adorned in necklaces made of bones and precious gemstones. Feathers similar to the young man who brought us here, hung from his ears and I sensed there was a connection between the two of them when the younger man signed a gesture on his forehead and came to sit beside him.

They exchanged a few words in their language and I looked nervously toward Joon. He glanced at me and mouthed the word breathe. I guess my panic was obvious and I turned back towards the chief, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

"What is a golden monkey doing in my woods?" The Chief spoke in the common tongue.

I glanced at Joon and he lifted his chin. "Taking a stroll through the woods."

I practically snapped my neck, giving him a look that said, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? But he stared straight ahead, not an ounce of humor shown on his face.

And to top it off the Chief bursted out laughing, practically falling back against the wall behind him. He wiped beneath his eyes and let out a great exhale. "What a funny monkey! Taking a stroll." He slapped his thigh and I continued to look utterly confused.

"Did your king tell you to take a stroll?" His voice went sharp.

Joon kept an indifferent face. A look I'd wonder how he managed to make so easily in the presence of death.

"I did not come on behalf of the king. I came from Murdok. I did not know this was Tewase territory."
Joons voice was clear and leveled.

The Chief looked towards the men who stood behind us, then leaned towards the young man beside him to exchange a few words. The young man nodded and the Cheif turned his attention back toward us.

"You speak truth, but how did a golden monkey come across my wood? You know we hunt these woods, why risk it? How do we know your not here to spy on us, then run to tell your king our whereabouts?"

Joon clenched his jaw. "I came from Murdock. I did not know these woods belonged to you. I am not here on behalf of the king..."

"Yes, yes, I know. You said that already. What of you, PaWei? You too came from Murdock and stumbled unknowingly into my woods."

PaWei? What does that mean? I assumed he was talking to me. I swallowed. "Y-yes." I squeaked.

He smiled and ran his eyes down my body, then back up slowly. "You dress like a southern woman, but your accent is northern. You sound like him." He gestured to Joon. "What is a golden monkey and his golden dove coming from Murdock through my woods?"

Golden dove? Was he saying that in reference to my pale skin? Is that what PaWei meant? I knew that Kona had been called Yapo by the Tewase, but he never told me what it actually ment, other than it being insulting. I wondered if it had to do with his feline appearance.

Joon spoke again. "We did not know it was your territory..."

"Yes, yes, I know. You've said that for the third time now, but you see, I just don't believe you. I don't believe a single word that has come out of that golden mouth of yours." He plucked a knife from beside him and pointed it towards Joon.

"And you..." he swung it my way. "I haven't quite made my mind up about you, PaWei.  It's always the pretty ones that are the most deceiving."

I felt my face warm and Joon let out a low warning sound.