“Discernment is the key,” Yahnna argued the intricate point to the council members, “the greatest gift that Ayah has given us is that we have great minds that enable us to learn, to discern, to grow and to change if need be. We are not lowly creatures governed solely by instinct. You wish to cast Atal and Lant aside because they don't fit preconceived notions... notions that suited the past, but no longer suit today. That Atal and Lant are both male and female renders the situation different than identical conjoined twins who have been declared abominations. Our people have been gifted with Atal and Lant, who are male and female together, in much the same way that Ayah is male and female, and take into consideration as well, the extraordinary circumstances of their birth."
It was a smart move on Yahnnas part, a good closing argument. Atahr had also come before the Council to give his testimony as to why he placed the mark of Ayah on the conjoined foreheads of Atal and Lant. Yahnna could tell that many of the Council had been swayed.
Yahnna smiled at the sleeping infants. The full moon had passed before the Tribal Council convened to discuss the fate of the twins. Yahnna insisted that Jayah and the babies also be in attendance, for despite their odd appearance, they were endearing and highly intelligent as can be seen from the light in their eyes and already quick to smile whenever Jayah cooed and made simple signs for them. By now their eyes were clearly two different shades, one amber brown while the other greenish blue. They were happy babies, oblivious to the dangerous scrutiny surrounding them. Yahnna hoped that this would soften their resolve, not to mention the strong presence of Jayah herself.
On examining Atal and Lant, the tribal council was most disturbed by their head-- it was wider and rounder than a normal babies head, their conjoined forehead moving straight up from the brow, a drastic difference compared to the gradual backward slope of a normal brow and forehead --a trait highly valued among the people, so much so, that higher status was often accorded to those who sported a forehead with a steeper inclination. A point made that was hard to refute, was that bigger, rounder heads made child birth exceedingly difficult, and as it was, too many women died in child birth.
Yahanna's rebuttal was exceptional, "Jayah survived and look at how well she's doing," Yahnna turned, motioning to her young acolyte and leader of the Salmon Clan who was at the time nursing Atal and Lant. "An entire moon has passed, and Jayah has healed well with no infection", Yahnna hesitated momentarily to give her arms a rest before continuing, "and this has everything to do with the fact that Ayah has gifted us with new knowledge-- new techniques to close wounds and herbs that numb pain and prevent infection. Obviously, Ayah has provided a means for those with bigger heads to be born without killing the mother. "
After the Tribal Council heard all testimony, it took yet another moon before their decision was announced. They chose the middle of the road: they needed more time to determine Ayah's will... more time to see if Atal and Lant would progress according to their standard. They did however wholly agree that the bolt of lightning striking their sacred pine, an event that saved the life of Jayah and her babies while simultaneously killing so many of their enemy, was an extraordinary event that could be none other than the deciding hand of Ayah.
By not coming to an outright decision, they appeased those who held to traditional values, and at the same time, the more liberal thinkers had reason to hope. The twins were given a period of three years to prove their worth, and if they failed to meet the standards set, it would be taken as a sign that Atal and Lant had served their purpose in the earthly realm and so would be returned to Ayah and the celestial realm.
There were so many other contributing factors that helped form the Tribal Council's decision for the twins to be given a second chance. For one thing, Yahnna was an important figure-- the present Elder Leader of the Dykelander Tribe, revered Shaman and Chief Healer among their People. She was to be reckoned with and it was obvious that she would not be dissuaded. As well, Jayah was held in high esteem among the people-- leader of the Salmon Clan, and given her apprenticeship position, she would continue to excel as Healer and Shaman, acolyte to Yahnna. More than anything however, was that Jayah was bestowed with an extra sense that was rare, she had the gift of visions that enabled premonitions into the future. The Tribal Council also knew full well that Jayah did not always follow Ayah's golden rules, and they were sure that she would decidedly leave, and taking many with her. They could not afford such a risk that would see their already declining numbers further divided.
Yahnna kept some of her disconcerting thoughts to herself. Over the many winters of her existence, she had seen a great change within the heart of her people… they had lost direction and hope. She watched as her people became less tolerant to their differences both physical or intellectual. Yahnna knew that the people had become fearful and weary of change and she felt in her heart, that birth of Atal and Lant was a final test from Ayah, one that would either make or break the Dykelander People.
It was a smart move on Yahnnas part, a good closing argument. Atahr had also come before the Council to give his testimony as to why he placed the mark of Ayah on the conjoined foreheads of Atal and Lant. Yahnna could tell that many of the Council had been swayed.
Yahnna smiled at the sleeping infants. The full moon had passed before the Tribal Council convened to discuss the fate of the twins. Yahnna insisted that Jayah and the babies also be in attendance, for despite their odd appearance, they were endearing and highly intelligent as can be seen from the light in their eyes and already quick to smile whenever Jayah cooed and made simple signs for them. By now their eyes were clearly two different shades, one amber brown while the other greenish blue. They were happy babies, oblivious to the dangerous scrutiny surrounding them. Yahnna hoped that this would soften their resolve, not to mention the strong presence of Jayah herself.
On examining Atal and Lant, the tribal council was most disturbed by their head-- it was wider and rounder than a normal babies head, their conjoined forehead moving straight up from the brow, a drastic difference compared to the gradual backward slope of a normal brow and forehead --a trait highly valued among the people, so much so, that higher status was often accorded to those who sported a forehead with a steeper inclination. A point made that was hard to refute, was that bigger, rounder heads made child birth exceedingly difficult, and as it was, too many women died in child birth.
Yahanna's rebuttal was exceptional, "Jayah survived and look at how well she's doing," Yahnna turned, motioning to her young acolyte and leader of the Salmon Clan who was at the time nursing Atal and Lant. "An entire moon has passed, and Jayah has healed well with no infection", Yahnna hesitated momentarily to give her arms a rest before continuing, "and this has everything to do with the fact that Ayah has gifted us with new knowledge-- new techniques to close wounds and herbs that numb pain and prevent infection. Obviously, Ayah has provided a means for those with bigger heads to be born without killing the mother. "
After the Tribal Council heard all testimony, it took yet another moon before their decision was announced. They chose the middle of the road: they needed more time to determine Ayah's will... more time to see if Atal and Lant would progress according to their standard. They did however wholly agree that the bolt of lightning striking their sacred pine, an event that saved the life of Jayah and her babies while simultaneously killing so many of their enemy, was an extraordinary event that could be none other than the deciding hand of Ayah.
By not coming to an outright decision, they appeased those who held to traditional values, and at the same time, the more liberal thinkers had reason to hope. The twins were given a period of three years to prove their worth, and if they failed to meet the standards set, it would be taken as a sign that Atal and Lant had served their purpose in the earthly realm and so would be returned to Ayah and the celestial realm.
There were so many other contributing factors that helped form the Tribal Council's decision for the twins to be given a second chance. For one thing, Yahnna was an important figure-- the present Elder Leader of the Dykelander Tribe, revered Shaman and Chief Healer among their People. She was to be reckoned with and it was obvious that she would not be dissuaded. As well, Jayah was held in high esteem among the people-- leader of the Salmon Clan, and given her apprenticeship position, she would continue to excel as Healer and Shaman, acolyte to Yahnna. More than anything however, was that Jayah was bestowed with an extra sense that was rare, she had the gift of visions that enabled premonitions into the future. The Tribal Council also knew full well that Jayah did not always follow Ayah's golden rules, and they were sure that she would decidedly leave, and taking many with her. They could not afford such a risk that would see their already declining numbers further divided.
Yahnna kept some of her disconcerting thoughts to herself. Over the many winters of her existence, she had seen a great change within the heart of her people… they had lost direction and hope. She watched as her people became less tolerant to their differences both physical or intellectual. Yahnna knew that the people had become fearful and weary of change and she felt in her heart, that birth of Atal and Lant was a final test from Ayah, one that would either make or break the Dykelander People.
No comments:
Post a Comment