SHAYAN ( A TRIBES REALM TALE)

FIVE

Five Elders were waiting for him in the living room. All of them were men in plain blue barrel clothes. They turned around to face Shayan as he walked slowly to meet them. The grayed hair and heavy lines in their faces showed the wisdom they acquired all through the years. One of them signaled for him to come closer while the others stood in silence as they waited for him to move with their knowing gaze. He walked one step at a time, ceasing the moment. Even though he already knew the reason of their summoning, he couldn't help being nervous. As if the air began to thin and the living room became smaller as the walls closing in on him, he continued walking. His gaze fell on the floor as he focused himself in his breathing. The Elders were there not to harm him so the anxious feeling he'd been having was worthless. He inhaled deeply and released the air to ease himself and somehow it worked. The one who beckoned for him saw the worry in his face. The old man wrinkled his forehead as he watched Shayan with sympathy. He then walked towards the boy and put a hand on the boy's shoulder as he lowered his eyes to meet the frightened young face. Shayan looked up and saw the old man staring at him. What in the old man's eyes relaxed him; there was nothing but kindness in them. By then he realized that there was nothing to worry about. The task that he was going to perform was not of an ordinary. It wasn't the task intended for boys his age. This task was only for him because it was his birthright, because he was the only living successor. The task is to rule.

"My name is Nagan." The old man said. He must be the leader of the Elders. "Come here Shayan, I would like you to meet the rest of us." Old Nagan ushered Shayan to the living room where the remaining Elders waiting for them. There were six of them including Nagan and all of them wore the same identical long barrel garb. Nobody in the tribe wore a long barrel like they did except for the women but the men, they wore the shorter one. All of them were looking at the boy and Shayan noticed their eyes beamed in delight as it gazed upon him. They were happy to see him. He stood next to old Nagan and he tried not to stare at the Elders as a sign of respect for them and kept his gaze on the floor. The elders didn't go out very often to meet the people in the community; they secluded themselves in their home cave near the lake, the Chief appointed Alimas and helpers to assist them there. They only visited the community during crucial times such as the appointing of the new Chief as well as the death. Shayan only knew what his mother told him about the Elders but he regarded them with awe as they were quite a spectacle to behold. The village considered them as holy and standing in their midst was something Shayan could only dream of. It was a privilege to be graced by their presence.

The Elders bowed their heads one by one as Nagan introduced them to Shayan. The boy bowed lower to show his respect to them. When he finally stood straight, Nagan asked him to sit down and in acquiesce, Shayan followed meekly. The Elders found their seat and sat as well and it was only Nagan who was standing. Despite of how frail he looked because of his age, Shayan saw the authority from his stance. His hands clamped in prayers as he pulled himself up, standing straight. His face imposed a commanding presence that all the Elders sitting in the living room kept their silence and waited for Nagan to speak.

"It is indeed a trying time for our Tribe and our community. A sudden unenviable event happened that put all of us in our most vulnerable state. Though we understand that this type of event is inevitable but still, it caught us off guard. We knew for quite sometimes that the previous Chief was ill; he made his predicament known to us, to prepare us. But no one is prepared enough when it comes to death." He shook his head slightly, trying to push aside the emotion that was beginning to arise. He took a deep breath before he proceeded. "There is one thing that his death had accomplished." Old Nagan looked each of the Elders face as if searching for answers. "His death unites us in some way."

Shayan swallowed hard to push down the lump in his throat. He didn't want to cry in front of the Elders but it was hard thinking that his Grandfather knew that he was dying. He was mad at the Chief for not telling him, for not trusting him enough to know his condition. Shayan knew that his Grandfather was just wanted to protect him from the truth. But still, he could just have told him. Now, all he had were memories of his Grandfather to counsel him, but what good were memories when all he ever wanted was to hear his voice. Shayan wanted to hear it from him telling him what to do. But that didn't matter now because no matter what happened, he had to make it worked... for his Grandfather and for everyone.