The Lost Boy

Chapter 7

Taller, much more regal, and even a little scarier than Wilshire. That was Rooster's first impression of the Red Sun tribe's chief. He was seated inside the cone-shaped building on what looked like a bear-skin rug, the bear's mouth still full of teeth and its blank, dead eyes staring at nothing. It sent a shudder down Rooster's spine as he peered inside from his position in the doorway next to Codfish. 

The building, which Tink had called a "tent," was constructed of wood and animal skins. The interior was cozy and a welcome escape from the sun, full of woven baskets and animal skins and bones and rugs, and in the back was a bed built of wood and dressed with skins and a couple palm fronds. There were paints in little clay jars clustered in a small pile, near some stones that were decorated with intricately painted designs. It was rather dark, but a hole in the roof welcomed a beam of sunlight that illuminated the ground before the chief, making his appearance even more intimidating.

The chief watched them enter with an eerie and powerful silence. His skin was a coppery color, his hair long and black as the night sky, with different strands intricately woven into little braids and adorned with beads, blades of grass, and thin leaves. His face had sharp, stony features and was just beginning to wrinkle, but his arms and legs were large and muscular, and his deep set eyes held a wisdom that seemed far beyond his years. His mouth was set in an expressionless line, but his eyes gave away that he was curious, a little angry, and a little concerned, but he also appeared open-minded. 

He was wearing a top and trousers forged of brown animal skins, and animal skin shoes concealed his large feet. A long, dark brown animal skin cape was draped over his shoulders and flowed down his back and to the ground like a waterfall. A long, cloudy white feather was woven into his hair, resting near his right ear, which was sharply pointed, while his hair cascaded down his back and draped over his shoulders. His arms were folded across his chest and his whole demeanor commanded respect. It was clearer than the cloudless sky that he was the chief.

"Chief Thunderclap," Tink said as she and Jade Star gave little bows from where they hovered in the center of the space, bending at the waist. The chief nodded to the fairies, the faintest hint of a smile pulling at his lips. 

The chief said something to the fairies in another language Rooster didn't understand. His voice was deep, commanding, and more than a little intimidating. 

"Yes, sir," Tink said. She beckoned to Rooster and Codfish, who stepped forward into the tent nervously. When Chief Thunderclap's eyes found the two boys, Rooster fought the urge to shrink behind Codfish. "You see-" 

"Humans," This was said in English. There was surprise in his voice, edged by anger. It made Rooster's hands tremble. Chief Thunderclap looked sharply at Tink and demanded, "How did they get here?" 

"We don't know," Tink confessed, wringing her hands. "They claim they washed up from a shipwreck."

"Indeed?" the chief said, his thick eyebrows raising the tiniest bit. Rooster found his own eyebrows raising as well. Chief Thunderclap could understand the fairy? 

"Chief...he can understand me," Tink said quietly, gesturing back towards Rooster. Jade Star mimicked her move and chimed, only she pointed to Codfish. The chief's eyebrows shot skyward, and he stroked his chin thoughtfully. 

"Hmm..." he rumbled curiously. He added something in his own tongue, and the fairies nodded. 

"Yes, sir," Tink replied. 

Chief Thunderclap narrowed his eyes at Rooster and Codfish, causing them to both gulp. Then the chief looked at the fairies again before he sighed and, in English, said, "I suppose I can explain. Come, humans."