SABIS the SURVIVOR

Part Two: RAVIS

Elder Eldris' chest heaved while his hands remained motionless. He so much wanted to slam his closed fists onto the solid rock podium that emerged from the ground, but this would only have served to inflame the ire and fear of the other Elders.

With the increasing number of warriors succumbing to the affliction, animal pelts, meat, and animal by-products like bone marrow, connective tissues, and suet were becoming scarce. While salting and smoking meat could preserve it for weeks or longer, food supplies had dwindled to the lowest level in recent history. Famine meant that the Survivor tribe had two choices: Leave their caves to search for a more suitable community dwelling or stay put and ration existing resources.

"I feel the weight of your concern, my brethren," he confessed. Perhaps this tact of honest disclosure would mollify the wounded and empty box that was now their collective mind.

"As our warrior numbers dwindle and our tribe resources become depleted, we must not lose hope nor forget who we are as Elders, as human beings, and as a tribe. Please join me in a prayer for the swift return of our chosen hero and heroine, Sabis and Claris."

The other Elders muttered and cleared their throats. Then in unison, they chanted:

Children of the stone ages, born of another time. We grew up, turned another page, forgave those old crimes. Now we're all alone though we still have ourselves. Crying is not an option─about the life we've been dealt. Crying is not an option, for our hearts can tell.

Eldris paused his recitation and placed his right hand on his brow as if to appear in solemn meditation. Then he furtively rubbed a solitary teardrop from his upper cheek. It had been many steam cycles since he had sent Sabis and later Claris on their mission of hope. He had hoped that they could find the primordial land where a cure for any and all afflictions lie dormant in their natural state. Could Sabis and Claris return home with their discovery in time to save the tribe from possible extinction?

He continued and the other Elders joined in:

Return to our sanctuary, from the throes of the battle. You have waged brave, given of your soul. Yore it has been foretold of your departure on that day. Would end in your return to us, and return to us we pray.

All the Elders stood and looked to the sky.

Peace above all, until the final breath.

Now he would have to break the news to the tribes. The warrior affliction had robbed the Survivor tribe of another stalwart member. Evis had been an intrepid warrior up to her last breath. Her spirit now resides in the Sea of Fertility with all of her warrior sisters and brothers.

"Fellow Elders, it has come to my attention that our skilled and talented warrior Evis Solaris has lost her battle with the warrior affliction. It is a sad and difficult time for her family and the rest of the Survivor tribe. I fear for our future but I also remain hopeful that we can overcome this affliction if we band together."

He looked around the Hall and imagined Gadis the Great, Eris the Erudite, and other Ancient Heroes who had lived through difficult times. Their words and stories were stored for the Elders' eyes only behind the stone walls, in large books written in graphite ink.

What would these ancient heroes have done in our situation? Surely they too must have endured famine and disease.

Contemplating this quandary gave him a headache that felt like a tight band encircling his skull, squeezing his brain to where his concentration and focus were reduced. So he surrendered his problem-solving mindset to one of faith─in their chosen warriors, in their ability to heal each other, and in Mother Earth's natural tendencies to proffer windfalls and bounties when She sensed it was the right time.

But time was running out for the Survivor tribe and waiting for either Mother Earth's generosity or for a primordial cure to be found did not feed empty stomachs, assuage rampant anxiety, or change the predominant gloom that hung over the tribe's Elder council. He needed to act. Could he contribute something concrete rather than simply spewing abstract and intangible platitudes and premature pacification? He thought 'Yes, I can!'

So before Eldris would have to announce drastic measures for the tribe─like food rationing or a moratorium on sexual relations so that no more children would be conceived, or even leaving this place they had called home for a very long time; he wanted to offer his own services for the tribe's betterment.

He continued his address to the Elders.

"We have a mighty culture and a spirit that can endure even the most trying of times. We will be defined by our ability to heal ourselves rather than succumbing to a natural disaster."

He kneeled and placed his two hands out in front of him. Then he prayed.

"May Mother Earth comfort and provide the necessities of life for this Council and all of our tribe members in this sorrowful time. Let it be."

Despite his prayers and outwardly calm appearance, his mind continued to run amok with forecasts of doom and gloom. Could they stay in this cave system much longer? How could the Elders keep order and civility and avoid panic?

Then he thought of how he had witnessed the Stone Games recently. He had seen spirited competition from several warriors-in-training. Moreover, the crowd of young people had shown their enthusiasm for the efforts put forth by the contestants. Hope sprung forth in the center of his mental maelstrom and restored order there. There would be a blessed and meaningful future indeed. His mind cleared further as he dwelled on the love he felt for this tribe. He knew what he must do. He would meet with the recent winner of the Stone Games.

"Oh Mother Earth, you do answer prayers.

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Sounds of stone and steel clanging ricocheted off of the cave walls signaling that warrior-in-training game time had arrived. Originating in the Stone Arena, the resounding of steel against stone was loud enough to travel to the next relay point, about three hundred meters away. At these relay points, warrior instructors would propagate the resounding throughout the array of caves, passages, and secret hiding places known only to them.

Each thirty steam cycles, all warriors-in-training were invited to the games. Participation gave competitors the chance to show their true bones and prove their warrior's heart.