The Ancients A Tale of Survival

Judgment Day

It had been a month since Maŗŗők had attacked Mỷrἇ . Jåcóbӱ was healing well. He was a little cranky that the village healer had ordered him to rest. Mỷrἇ was secretly glad. She had enough to deal with already with Ƒáeláƞ and know little Dárkmëre.

Maŗŗők was still alive much to Mỷrἇ's annoyance, but he was under constant surveillance. Ƒáeláƞ had tried to talk to him once, but had given up. Äɱďėƞ had taken over watching Mỷrἇ till Jåcóbӱ was able to come back.

"Why is Maŗŗők still alive?"

Äɱďėƞ looked up from where she was cuddling Dárkmëre. She shrugged and frowned at Myra. Her gaze was speculative as she eyed Mỷrἇ 's nude body. Women and children splashed in the water downstream of where Mỷrἇ bathed. Warriors stayed hidden in the trees keeping watch for enemies and wild animals.

"A Judgment Day has been called. That is why Maŗŗők is still alive."

"And what is that exactly?"

"Well," Äɱďėƞ mused as she shifted a sleeping Dárkmëre in her arms. "Anyone who has done something wrong is brought before a gathering of tribes. The other tribes will decide the punishment. It can be anything from exile to lashings and even death. Maŗŗők will die for his crime. He tried to kill Jåcóbӱ. He meant to harm you and who knows what he would have done to Dárkmëre."

Myra nodded. "I'm sorry."

"What for?" Äɱďėƞquestioned. "Maŗŗők made his hammock and now he must lay in it. He quit being my friend the moment he went after Äçåçiå."

"How do you know my Mother?"

Äɱďėƞ's face softened and her skin glowed a soft blue. Mỷrἇ noticed that whenever the water people experienced emotion, their bodies glowed. Mỷrἇ wondered if the other elemental groups did that.

"Your mother was a dear friend of mine. That's how your parents met. Äçåçiå came with me as I went to visit a few friends in Dárkmëre's village. Dárkmëre fell for Äçåçiå as soon as he saw her. It didn't take long for Acacia to love him back."

Mỷrἇ sighed. "I wish I could have truly known my parents, like Jåcóbӱ knew them."

Äɱďėƞ nodded. "It was a shame that you were so young when they died. You are more like your Mother than you think. Just look into your eyes and you will see her. Jåcóbӱ is remarkably like Dárkmëre." Äɱďėƞreached forward and placed a comforting hand on Mỷrἇ's arm. "You do your parents proud. Your Mother had magic in her as well as Dárkmëre. They would be thrilled to see how far you've come."

A call sounded throughout the camp echoing down to the river. Äɱďėƞ shifted Dárkmëre to her hip waking him up. He gurgled as Äɱďėƞ waited for Myra to dress. The other women and children started wading out of the river. Warriors appeared to escort the women and children safely back to camp.

"It's time," Äɱďėƞ said as she passed Darkmere to Mỷrἇ's waiting arms.

Mỷrἇ cuddled her son close as they made the walk back to camp. Maŗŗők needed judged and Mỷrἇ felt a little vindictive as she looked forward to his judgment.

"Maŗŗők deserves to die for his crimes against my family."

Äɱďėƞ's only response was to smile. Those of the water people were known for their passionate feelings. Just look at how many times water changes in a day and imagine that force condensed into human form.