Jayah didn't give in to the enticing call. Throwing herself to the jagged rocks below would be a quick end, but her thoughts focussed on staying alive so she could buy more time for her clan. The Bahr-Bahr hunters had completely surrounded her outcrop of land, and from her position behind a large jagged rock she remained hidden and yet fully able to see the events unfold: Dorag and his party of hunters ascending the slope at the eastern side.
The next contraction slammed into her so violently that Jayah fell to the ground. This was it... she couldn't go any further. She had hoped to breath her last in the arms of Ayah's sacred tree, but now with pain overtaking her, she comforted herself with knowing that at least it was in sight.
Jayah lay on her back, her body shuddering and convulsing as the contraction escalated. And then pain ended as fast as it came, she managed to make it to her knees and positioning herself high enough to see over the cliff's edge and no longer hidden from view. She could see that the other hunters lagged behind their leader, obviously worried about the precarious situation-- the steep slope... a storm too close for comfort. She stayed there weak and trembling, hoping that one of the hunters would lift his head and see her. No sooner had the red haired leader glanced up when another contraction flattened Jayah to the ground once again. It was all she could do to roll her body into a dip in the ground.
~~
The Bahr-Bahr hunters holding positions surrounding the west side of the outcrop became fearful. They were aware of a wind that had begun to blow, a southeasterly that Dorag and the other hunters climbing the slope on the protected side would not be aware of. The dark billowing clouds now loomed dangerously close. Fear clutched their hearts, leading some of the younger less experienced hunters to abandon their positions and seek safety in the woods.
~~~
As Jayah prayed she felt a calming peace … she knew that Ayah gave her the courage to do what she must. Caressing her swollen belly, her thoughts turned soothingly to her unborn child, even if you're still alive little one, we are as good as dead. Resolved, Jayah managed to crawl a short distance before another contraction took hold. Her eyes squeezed so tight that she wasn't aware of dark clouds approaching.
No sooner had she attempted to crawl again when another contraction seized Jayah forcing her to slip back to the ground, the thick pile of moss greeting her tired beaten body. Giving in to exhaustion, Jayah lay for a precious moment, allowing her senses to become attuned to her surroundings. Jayah felt a familiarity, as though all of this had taken place before. Turning her head to one side she watched as wisps of mist threaded around the towering pine... so familiar.
The next contraction slammed into her so violently that Jayah fell to the ground. This was it... she couldn't go any further. She had hoped to breath her last in the arms of Ayah's sacred tree, but now with pain overtaking her, she comforted herself with knowing that at least it was in sight.
Jayah lay on her back, her body shuddering and convulsing as the contraction escalated. And then pain ended as fast as it came, she managed to make it to her knees and positioning herself high enough to see over the cliff's edge and no longer hidden from view. She could see that the other hunters lagged behind their leader, obviously worried about the precarious situation-- the steep slope... a storm too close for comfort. She stayed there weak and trembling, hoping that one of the hunters would lift his head and see her. No sooner had the red haired leader glanced up when another contraction flattened Jayah to the ground once again. It was all she could do to roll her body into a dip in the ground.
~~
The Bahr-Bahr hunters holding positions surrounding the west side of the outcrop became fearful. They were aware of a wind that had begun to blow, a southeasterly that Dorag and the other hunters climbing the slope on the protected side would not be aware of. The dark billowing clouds now loomed dangerously close. Fear clutched their hearts, leading some of the younger less experienced hunters to abandon their positions and seek safety in the woods.
~~~
As Jayah prayed she felt a calming peace … she knew that Ayah gave her the courage to do what she must. Caressing her swollen belly, her thoughts turned soothingly to her unborn child, even if you're still alive little one, we are as good as dead. Resolved, Jayah managed to crawl a short distance before another contraction took hold. Her eyes squeezed so tight that she wasn't aware of dark clouds approaching.
No sooner had she attempted to crawl again when another contraction seized Jayah forcing her to slip back to the ground, the thick pile of moss greeting her tired beaten body. Giving in to exhaustion, Jayah lay for a precious moment, allowing her senses to become attuned to her surroundings. Jayah felt a familiarity, as though all of this had taken place before. Turning her head to one side she watched as wisps of mist threaded around the towering pine... so familiar.
