Finding Those Not Lost

The trouble with finding those who are not lost

"Did you really think that you would be able to sneak into my home without being detected?" Said the voice of the Brotherless Chief. we only waited to see the speaker. Tensely sitting in the stone houses entry room. "Why must I be burdened with two foolish daughters." said the voice.
     "I like to think you have only one foolish daughter." said Sunrise. I looked at Preston as we both took in the unusual circumstance of this conversation. The answer surprised us both. We could hear stirring further back within the house. The Chief entered the foyer. Looked us over briefly before chuckling softly.
I could hear Preston exhale a held in breath at her response. She walked hauntingly to her daughter Sunrise raising her from her crouch by her hands. She then pulled her in giving her a long slow hug. Her dress seemed exotic compared to the images of chiefs we had seen in pictures. She wore leather but it was tightly cut and black in color. She had nothing upon her arms and high soft leather boots. Her leather was not unadorned. White eyes were painted and scattered along the leather. So numerous were the eyes that she could some black and white jungle cat. Upon her shoulder was the top of a black feather cape it was so perfectly done that it would not be shocking to see her step, leap, and fly.
     "I have missed you so much. You were always so willful as a child. Why should I expect you to have changed." Said the Chief. "Who are your companions?" She asked changing the mother and daughter reunion.
     "This is Mary and Preston. I have agreed to help them find their friend for saving my life." Answered Sunrise. Her mother walked forward looking over me and Preston closely.
     "This must be the warrior and the shaman I was told about from my defeated warriors. You were lucky. One of my duties is to prevent those who stumble into my lands from wandering into places they should not enter." Said the Chief. "You must be skilled to still be alive. My name is Raven. I am thankful in that my daughter is alive and standing before me. But worried about failing in my duties." Said the Chief. "What will I do with you?"
     "Mother why are you even here? Why did you leave us all those years ago?" Said Sunrise. Emotion stirring in her voice. It remained quiet for a moment. Her mother let out a slow breath. As if to gather her thoughts.
     "I guess it will not hurt to let you share my burden for a little while. As I decide your fate." She waved that she wished us to follow. She led us deeper within her home. It was decorated with murals and different odds and ends of furniture. Most likely traded for or maybe taken. Eventually we reached what I would call the kitchen of her home. There was a small fire within what I guessed was a stone brazier. A small wood table with several mismatched chairs. There were shelves carved into the stone along one wall with a variety of herbs and spices. She pointed us to a small table. We sat each in a different chair. The one Sunrises mother choose was slightly taller than the others. With a blanket draped along the back of the chair.
"Why am I here? Why did I leave my daughter's? It is a question I have asked myself a thousand times. But the answer is the question. But let me start from the beginning." We sat eager to hear the story. Preston almost was on the edge of his seat in anticipation. "I am here because of a decision made by a wise ancestor long before the English came to this land. Before the Spanish. And before the fierce bearded men of the North crossed the oceans." She started. Preston looked towards me raising an eyebrow. "I think you may have deduced who or what the Brotherless are protecting. But you are wrong. We are protecting our people. My people here are members of many tribes. But we are members without children or family. We are here to protect those of our old tribes who have so much. But the Chief is a duty passed on from tribe to tribe. To fulfill a deal struck long before we were ever born. So you understand your father was trained from a child to know the duties he would inherit eventually. I loved him so much. We were wild and care free. The burden he would inherit making us reckless. But his father was killed young. Found murdered. Suspected to be the victim of white men. Your Father was called to fill his role as leader of your tribe. And soon to be father to a pair of willful daughters.
I watched your father grow into a wise leader and a caring father. When the call came for a leader and chief for the Brotherless I took the burden upon myself. He was so wise and loving with you and your sister. I just couldn't see him lose that with you both. I told your father. He tried to forbid it. I laughed at him. He was a good man. But never had the steel of his father. I knew he would not make it apart from you both. I knew what was expected of the duty. If the Brotherless failed in our duties it would be our tribes that would suffer. But your sister ruined it all."
Explained Raven.
"What did she do?" Said Sunrise as only a sibling could. Raven poured us tea as we sat and listened. Preston looked at it dubiously. But I took a cautious sip. It was delicious but unlike any tea I had ever drank. My tea distraction ended as Raven answered.
     "Your Professor friend called them moth man. We call them Achay. They are real. They live deep in the earth. Our wise ancestor struck the bargain that we have followed for time unknown. It is said he knew of some of his people missing likely dead and he went to investigate. What he found was the work of Achay. He watched them. He went back and spoke to his father and the elders of the village. It is said they knew of the Achay. They also knew of their taking of their people, but did not want to anger the spirits. Our wise ancestor knew then what needed to be done. He asked them if he could try to speak with them and the nature of the bargain he wished to proposed. He also knew he would need the assistance of all of the tribes. It is said a great meeting took place all those years ago of chiefs and elders of many of the early tribes. Some long gone. They gave him permission to speak with the spirits. It is why I am here now. Fulfilling a bargain made long before I was born. It is why I had to choose my people over my family. It is why I live here below the earth. Guarding the underworld from interlopers trying to find treasure or spirits or artifacts. I have killed to protect this secret world. I have killed to protect my people from the Achay and their gods." Said Raven.
     "Your missing the most important part. What did she do?" asked Sunrise again. I was fascinated by the story and the similarities of the mother and daughter and their demeanors though they had long been apart. Preston seemed preoccupied by his tea though he was clearly listening to the strange tale.
     "What did she do? It initially wasn't her fault. Your father would take her when he would speak with the Achay in the high lonely places. Again then circumstances interceded again. For she began to speak with them on her own. Not knowing some of the reasons for the Chiefs actions through out the years. For the relationship has helped us both. They have taught us much about the land. From growing food to making of shelter to many of our crafts. She was unaware of the first chiefs and elders suspicions of our allies. She was alone deep within a cave when she was taken by brothers for being within their mine. But I know you know this part of the tale.. I spoke to your professor to find out how he came to have the jewel of the Achay. " said Raven.
     "Jewel of the Achay? the moth man jewel giving to Richard I would assume." said Preston.
     "Yes, as you say. Though I did not know who she had giving this sacred gift to. But it was her rescuer Richard. Your Professor friend told me.  But again your Sister struck a new bargain with the Achay.  With possible grave consequences.  She has sheltered her tribe with the Achay living in their home.  Far closer that I would wish nor our ancestors if their concerns were accurate."  She stopped taking a small sip from her tea.  I did the same unconsciously during the break in her tale.  I could see Preston mind was working, and he wished to ask questions but kept them to himself.  Sunrise was calmly drinking tea.  I could see her looking over her mother closely as if trying to understand a character you had only heard of but now was made flesh.
     "So for brevity let me tell you of the reason for my men's attack.  We were ordered to bring the holder of Jewel of the Achay back to its creators."  When they ask something of us directly which is rare we know it is not just an "ask".   Your friend the Professor happened to be the holder and was brought here and then to the Achay."  she explained.
She stopped and looked us over.  "So what shall we do about these changes.  The old bargain is void.  Your friend is in trouble.  And my people I left to protect are now in grave danger with me unable to help them that I can see." Finished Raven.
   I think she wasn't really looking for an answer more a facilitation of discussion.  But unfortunately I opened my mouth anyways.  "We are going to get are friend.  With your help or not."
     "I will help." Said Sunrise.
     "You had me before you even spoke."  Said Preston.
     "Must my daughter's both be so rash.  I will help you as well" said Raven.