The Stars in Your Skin

CHAPTER 10

The talioang have returned! The village is a hub of activity.  He smiles at Ha'ew who nearly vibrates with anticipation, face paint only enhancing his features. He marks his arm with ochre paint to signal to the other hunters he plans on taking down a talioang.  Soon they’re gathered before the tribe.

Cheers and whoops fill the area building the tension until it's palpable in the air. They sing the Hunts Song, to the driving beat of the drums and grunting intones of the tribe. The drums beat harder, their voices growing rising to a crescendo that leaves him abuzz with exhilaration.

His grandmother blesses their Hunt. He spots Naawri in the crowd, brow furrowing slightly when his heart flutters. He turns his focus to his grandmother.

They leave for the hunting grounds on the heels of feral shouts. They’ve already gone over the strategy, handed down for  generations and tried and true.  It’s a three hour journey to the crest of the Hunting grounds. Ha’ew and Noney, along with six more hunters scout them on all sides, returning with good news.

He climbs onto Tsawke, soothing his mount when a pop of excited orange spikes in his head.  He casts a glance to Sateya, giving her a feral smile. They wait for his father's signal.

Once his father gives the signal there is no more time to think.  The Hunt is on!

The pali riders work them into a stampede driving them into the open. The massive beasts stampede through the wetland, taking down any pali riders that stray too close.

He flies overhead, low enough to strike but high enough not to be struck. Tsawke dodges other hunters, swooping in once Neteyam picks his target.  A big bull. He nocks his arrow and locks on. Only one shot. He takes a breath and lets his arrow fly. It flies  true to his aim, embedding itself in the weak spot within its armor.

The beast falls, dead in seconds.

He takes in a breath whispering the death prayer to himself. For several moments his world consists only of the thunderous sound of the stampeding behemoths, the cries of his fellow hunters, and the stench of death.  He has not time to look for his family, only move forward and focus as he sings the age-old song dedicated to the talioang.  Finally, it stops once they reach the village quota.

The rest of the herd moves on.

He lands his ikran and jumps off tired and covered in sweat but grinning because he’s still intact. His father approaches him beaming with pride.  He uses talioang blood to strike through his mark, symbolizing his accomplishment.

His mother throws her arms around him.  “My son. Strong and brave.”

A flurry of activity follows the Hunt and soon they’re on the return journey home. He can’t wait to show Naawri his mark.  How will she react? He stops at the thought. Why was he thinking that? The Hunters fill the air with singing and laughter as they bring back their bounty. The trip also serves to soften the talioang’s hide for butchering.

Next thing he knows, they’re home and met with celebration of their safe return with abundant food for the tribe.  He is stopped by many, congratulating him on his achievement. However it is his siblings' faces that he seeks. He hugs his two sisters, both of who congratulate him, promising Tuk a talioang horn.

He rests a hand on Lo'ak's shoulders. "Don't worry bro you'll be out there with me soon enough." He smiles but his brother doesn't return it.

He sees Kiri nudge Lo'ak prompting him to flash a weak smile his way. "Yeah."

They sing the Hunt song in celebration of the talioangs' sacrifices, their voices rising as one. Afterwards, he searches for Naawri, having managed to dodge Sateya and his parents.  When he spots her she is already busy helping butcher one of the beasts, her group one of many surrounding one of the talioang carcasses strewn across the village outskirts.  It’s a kind of gruesome sight but nothing he isn’t accustomed to.