Note for this excerpt: I have introduced three new characters, and rather than waste time trying to come up with names right now, they are designated Tracker1, Tracker2 and Tracker3. Later, probably at the end of the month, I will determine their names, and through the magic of find and replace will give them some sort of suitable name.
Today's excerpt:
This stopped the conversation while the men considered how to answer a dumb question from a Man and Warrior of the Tribe without offering insult. The Trackers looked at Moa’qi, but he sat impassively, sipping cardamom coffee. Tracker2 took a breath, and began, “You are a New Man, and so your question is fair. Some would say you were brought early to this knowledge, though, that decision is solely that of your Master, and therefore above reproach. However, it is usually done”, pause with a glance at Moa’qi, “under different circumstances.” With this small speech, Tracker2 had gently chided Moa’qi, and excuse Sylk’s dumb question. He then proceeded to explain the tribal custom concerning Flat Rock.
“Countless seasons ago, the village was not where we are today. In fact, the village was not the size it is today. It was in fact larger. We were not in the place we occupy today. We were in fact within one day’s hike of Flat Rock. A man in need could get there and back within the same Light. The mystery of the water was known at that time, and was common knowledge to all above 20 seasons. This then is where you receive the vague hints and legends of ‘streams’ and flowing water.
“For reasons that are debated, the tribe suffered an illness, and about 1/3 of the tribe was lost to an implacable death. It was horrid, attacking the lungs and skin, and the first to go was our medicine maker. With no one of his skill, and no knowledge of the issues creating the illness, we were laid low. Their was dissent, and strife, and much ancillary disease, as we were unprepared for the disposal of so many bodies. That is when we began the Burning as the Final Ascent. We used to place our dead back into the Earth. Now we send them to the sky. Even this caused great dissent and consternation.
“Finally, there was a split and a plan. Approximately ½ the tribe determined to move. From that group we remain. We have rebuilt about to about 70% of the original tribe at the time of the split. However, we are currently only about 30% of the original thriving tribe.
“Flat Rock, while always considered a place of power, is also a place of dread. We moved far enough from it that it was more than a day’s hike away. And we focused our attentions in other directions. And the lore of Flat Rock was relegated to the Muktai, to disseminate in time to those they would.” Tracker2 paused and looked again at Moa’qi, seeming to need direction. He received none, and so continued cautiously, “This because… there are those that believe-”, furtive glance at Moa’qi, “-that Flat Rock was simply the, ahh, victim… of circumstance. And in truth, no ill has befallen those that make the trek.”
Sylk had been listening to all that he was hearing, while formulating what he figured had to be the obvious question. He took advantage of the break in the narrative to ask, “What of the other tribe.”
Tracker1 spoke with a hollow tone, “We do not speak of that.”
Tracker2 and Tracker3 looked uncomfortable. Moa’qi sipped carefully on his cardamom coffee, looking over the top of his cup at Tracker1. Lowering his cup, he said to the group, in general, “We do not withhold information from Men of The Tribe.”
Tracker1 flinched, as though slapped. Tracker2 and Tracker3 looked away. Sylk followed suit. They sat in an uncomfortable silence.
Addressing Moa’qi, Tracker1 finally spoke. “Obviously, we do speak of this, as there are those that know, that the lessons and stories may be passed on. But, the narrative is difficult, and filled with concepts not in our tribe. Usually this is done in Council. I feel it is prudent to continue this tradition at least.”
Moa’qi nodded assent. “Your words are wise Tracker1.” Speaking to Sylk, he said, “That question will be answered in time, by the tribe, in the usual manner. Tracker1 reminds me that many standards have been – bent. These processes exist for good reason, perhaps it is time to reassert their legitimacy, lest you think that nothing matters. Please, Tracker2, continue the narrative of our tribe.”
Looking relieved, Tracker2 took up where he left off. “The Muktai, then, as a unit, commonly determine who will be told what of Flat Rock, and the time. The only person I know of that received information regarding Flat Rock outside the normal program was Jedediah…” Here Tracker3 flashed a quick glance at Moa’qi, then Sylk, then back to his mug. “… and he of course was destined for First Chair.
“The tribe gradually lost general knowledge of Flat Rock, just the stream legends and a few archaic words, such as ‘drown’ remain. But they are treated as fantastic stories or even allegory. Representative of an Idea, not a Fact. Part of the lore of the Tribe.
“In fact, however, it is a legacy, and like most legacies, has the potential for a negative connotation. It can be a bequeathing of value, or a transmittal of – disease.”
Again Sylk took advantage of the break in narrative to ask another question. “This disease. Was it localized? Did moving the Tribe distance it from the source of disease?”
Moa’qi answered. “Yes.” No one else spoke.
“Was there ever any discovery of what caused the disease? I ask, because I wonder if it was a localized phenomenon, then perhaps we endanger the tribe by going near the origination point.”
The Trackers appreciated this question, as it demonstrated the fact of the New Man. No childish question, it went to the heart of what matters, i.e., the safety of the Tribe. Nodding approvingly, Tracker3 spoke for the first time, “We appreciate your question. The short answer is apparently not. There has never been a reoccurrence since we have moved. There is debate about whether something specific to our new location provides tribal protection, or whether the source of disease vanished with the last of the dead.”
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