Unknown Warrior

Chapter 5

Aukanai’i stood still realizing that all she had on was her silky night clothing which hugged every curve of her body. The men looked at her confused. Raven ran to her side also realizing what happened. Before anyone could speak Raven asked them, “Men, before you say anything, I have a question. Is Aukanai’i not a good warrior? Is Aukanai’i not one of us?” One of the men walked forward and said “Yes, Aukanai’i is a good warrior and one of us. What happened to him and why is this woman on his dragon?” Raven hesitated to answer. Aukanai’i walked forward and said, “It is I my brothers. I am Aukanai’i.” Everyone gasped in disbelief. The man that walked forward said, “If you are Aukanai’i tell us something only he... or she would know.” Aukanai’i spoke with great a hint of humor, “All you men were scared when Raven almost got eaten by my dragon and all of you... sleep with your baby bear fur blankets!” All the men gasped and screamed, “It is Aukanai’i! It is Aukanai’i!” Raven then asked, “Do you accept her?” “Yes, Yes, It is wrong but she has the mark and we dare not question the gods.” Aukanai’i was happy and so was Raven. They all made a promise that they would not tell anyone that Aukanai’i is a woman.

The men decided to fly back to their tribe on their dragons. As they neared the tribe, Aukanai’i grew scared. Raven, being her soul mate, felt her uneasiness. “It will be ok. I am here and I will not let anything happen to you.” “I trust you.” She replied. When they reached, the whole tribe was there cheering and happy to see their men come back safe. When the dragons landed, however, everything grew quiet. They were watching Aukanai’i. Everyone thought that Raven would be riding the largest dragon. Tree Wise stood next to Strongbow at the head of the crowd. Strongbow broke the silence and asked, “What is wrong? Why is everyone so quiet?” Tree Wise answered him with jealousy in his voice. “Your son is upon the largest dragon.” Strongbow was happy but tried to hide his excitement. “He is?” he asked full of pride. “Yes” replied Tree Wise between clenched teeth. The men jumped off their dragons and ran to their families. Raven ran to his father and hugged him but his father barely hugged back. Aukanai’i ran to her mother and father. Her mother was happy she was safe and her father whispered in her ear “Great job my son.” This made Aukanai’i very sad. Star Rise saw it in her daughter’s eyes and looked away.

Suddenly Tree Wise came up to Aukanai’i and said, “I cannot accept this! I cannot!” “Accept what Tree Wise?” asked Strongbow. “I cannot accept your son having a bigger dragon than my son! It cannot happen! My son is chief and deserves that dragon.” Tree Wise shouted. “It is not his fault the dragon has his soul.” Strongbow added. “I do not care! If you want to stay here in this tribe Aukanai’i, you must release your dragon.” Tree Wise said very upset. Aukanai’i responded with a clear, “No!” Strongbow surprised said, “You can speak!!!” Aukanai’i did not answer, she just watched Tree Wise for he did not like when people disobeyed him. He screamed, “I banish you then! I banish you from my tribe! Away with you!” Everyone was shocked. Star Rise instantly started to cry and Strongbow held her tightly. Raven opened his mouth to protest but Aukanai’i looked at him and mouthed “No.” “You have until sunrise to leave my tribe” Tree Wise said then walked away. Raven stood there looking at Aukanai’i, sorrow filling his eyes. Star Rise was still crying, Strongbow holding her tightly said, “We will go with you Aukanai’i. We are family and we stick together.” “No father, you and mother must stay here and live your life. I will find a new one but I will never forget you guys.” Aukanai’i said quietly. “But...” “No buts father. You will stay here and so will you mother.” Star Rise and Strongbow watched as their child went into their hut to pack her belongings.

Aukanai’i packed her belongings carefully onto Nightrunner. Star Rise and Strongbow watched her as she got ready to leave. Suddenly, Raven comes running out of nowhere chased by his father, Tree Wise. “You cannot leave!” screamed Raven. Tree Wise said, “He will leave and never come back to my tribe.” “No you cannot banish Aukanai’i! You cannot!” Raven said out of breath. Star Rise and Strongbow looked at Raven curiously. Suddenly Star Rise realized what was going on. “Why can’t I?” Tree Wise questioned Raven. Raven looked at Aukanai’i and said “Because she is my soul mate.” Strongbow and Tree wise’s mouth dropped open. “She? What?” They said in unison. Aukanai’i jumped off of Nightrunner and said, “Yes, I am a woman, a warrior, and Raven’s soul mate.” Star Rise jumped and laughed with joy. She ran toward her daughter and said, “I am proud of you!” Strongbow asked curiously, “I had a daughter? She is my great warrior?” “Yes she is.” the oracle, Mystic said coming out of the bushes. “Oracle?” Strongbow and Tree Wise said. “Yes, it is I. I have had dreams of this child coming into this world. I did not know who would bear this child until Star Rise came to me. I touched Star Rise’s stomach and all my dreams rushed into my head. I knew this baby was the great warrior from the gods.” Mystic said with great wisdom. “But how could this be? The men were always the warriors and the chiefs were always the ones with the largest dragons.” Tree Wise said greatly confused. “I myself do not believe this.” Strongbow replied. “Let Aukanai’i stay tonight, chief. Think about it while you sleep and the answer you come up with in the morning shall be what will happen.” Mystic said to Tree Wise. Tree Wise nodded his heads and headed for his hut. “As for you, Strongbow, you should also sleep on this great confusion and maybe you will find the answers to your unanswered questions in your dreams.” “Ok Oracle, I trust you.” With that said Star Rise led Strongbow into their hut.

Raven, Aukanai’i, and Mystic was left behind. “How did you know we would be here, oracle?” Raven asked. “I told her.” Aukanai’i said proudly. “You told her? How?” Raven asked totally confused. “I spoke to Mystic before I began packing. We both knew you would not let me be banished. So before I summoned my parents to see me off, Mystic hid in the bushes to listen for when you would arrive.” Aukanai’i said trying to hide her amusement. “Am I that predictable?” Raven asked sad but with a bit of humor in his voice. “Yes!” Aukanai’i and Mystic said in unison. “Come on children the sun will be upon us soon and you need some rest. Go to bed now.” With that Raven and Aukanai’i went into their separate huts to sleep. The oracle went into her chambers and quickly fell asleep.