Jeneria: Defenders of Ausmik

CHAPTER FOUR - NATAL GROUNDS

The tribe looked as though they had returned from war—dirt on their faces, blood on their clothes, and people limping from injury. There were no fences or gates around the camp, only shabby huts that hardly looked large enough to house any person. A massive fire pit was centered amid the huts, lighting the entire camp. A small group of Natals were gathered around the fire, but most of the Gwanoawamp seemed to be settled in for the night.

"Oppah!" A young, unclothed boy came dashing towards to the scar-faced Natal and nearly tackled him with a hug.

"Hello, my boy," said the Natal.

Some Natals began emerging from their homes, dispersing throughout the camp to tend to the injured. Once of them, an elderly woman, approached Jenn.

"Oboo?" said the woman.

Jenn turned to her uncle, needing for him to interpret.

"She's asking if you're hurt," said Alexander.

Jenn turned back to the woman, "No—I'm okay."

The woman approached Jesse who pulled off her boot to reveal her blood-soaked bandages. The woman kneeled down to examine Jesse's foot. "Vali," she said.

"She wants you to go with her," said Alexander.

The woman took Jesse's arm and guided her into a nearby hut, leaving Jenn and Alexander behind.

"We need to find Chief Westerman," said Alexander. "Follow me."

Jenn followed her uncle as they marched past the large fire. They seemed to be headed for one of the far huts; it was sheltered with bark and had unfamiliar markings painted onto it—most likely the markings of their language.

When they reached the hut, Alexander knocked on the thin wooden door. No one answered. Jenn and Alexander looked at one another; he knocked again.

"Dark Wind."

They both turned to the voice behind them—it was the scar-faced Natal.

"Chief Westerman not here," he said.

"Where is he?" said Alexander.

"He not been here for long time," said the Natal. "Almost three months."

Frustrated, Alexander took a deep breath and exhaled it through his nose. "Where'd he go?"

"Chief Westerman leave with people. They come and beg for help, so Chief goes with them—many men and women from our tribe go, too."

"Damn it," said Alexander. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

The scar-faced Natal slightly tilted his head, almost as if he was confused. "You did not mention that you want to see chief."

"Who were they?" said Alexander. "The ones Chief Westerman left with?"

"I don't know these people, but Chief Westerman know them."

"Were they Natals?"

"No. Men and woman like you. I never see them before."

"Uncle Alexander," said Jenn. "I think I know who it was."

Alexander whipped his head, staring at Jenn with questioning eyes.

"When I was traveling to Clarus with Faunus, she mentioned Chief Westerman—I think they might have known each other."

"Sey," said the scar-faced Natal. "Yes—Faunus. A woman with gold hair."

"Faunus has gold hair," said Jenn.