Yahnnah had no choice but to scream, it was the quickest way to stop the other clan members before they were out of earshot.
Before turning around, each member had sprung into action, immediately breaking off into two groups. The more able bodied individuals with spears poised and moving with lethal speed, took up strategic positions surrounding the second group, mostly children who huddled together.
All expected to see Yahnna being pursued by a formidable predator, a cave lion... ursus... or a pack of wolves. When they saw nothing in pursuit, they lowered their weapons and allowed the hairs at the nape of their neck to relax. Half of the first group ran out to meet their Shaman who was running towards them, and even though her lips were tightly pursed, a silent scream remained etched on her face. It was out of character for their leader to break one of Ayah's golden rules and in the case of a scream, only a life threatening danger could justify the breach. Whatever it could be, all were certain that danger was imminent... lurking somewhere.
As those running toward her gathered around, Yahnnah signed first in bold gestures, giving instruction to the others still huddled together in the distance-- they were to continue moving along with the journey.
Turning to the others now before her, Yahnnah's gnarled hands formed intricate signs with such precision that even before she had finished, Atahr, having understood enough, was already quickly on the way, heading back down the slope . Quickly Yahnna instructed a few of those gathered to follow him, and then turning to the two fleetest scouts, she instructed them to run ahead of the first group w to Ursa Majorica, their original destination where other Clans were gathered. They were to enlist tribal warriors who would swiftly make their way to Ursa Minorica.
It was mostly down hill and so Atahr and those following him made good time. Atahr was the first to reach the small clearing where they had camped the night before. He ran to very spot where earlier that morning Jayah had parted into the wood. There was no obvious trail where she had entered and nor was there any indication that she had retraced her steps, but this didn't mean much considering her exceptional stealth and skill at passing through woodlands without leaving a trace. Atahr circled the outer perimeter of the encampment until he found what he was looking for ... and dreading. It was a wide blazing trail, not in the direction where the clan had left... and yet it was the kind of trail left by predators when in hot pursuit of prey. Still, it wasn't headed south toward the sea and to Ursa Minorica, the small outcrop of land where Yahnna claimed Jayah was headed. This gave Atahr hope... he wanted so much to believe that Yahnna had been wrong!
Atahr knew in his heart and mind that Jayah would indeed do the very thing that Yahnna now feared was the case. He knew that the only reason his beloved mate would use herself as bait and so leave forever those she loved most in the world, would be that her death and the death of their unborn child was inevitable. In such a case, Atahr knew that Jayah would choose to use her last breath protecting the ones she loved most.
Within moments and as the others and then Yahnna arrived at the encampment, they found Atahr in state of euphoric, almost giddy relief. "You see Yahnna", he rushed to her side signing and pointing to the trail , "it veers to the east and not the south... the Bahr-Bahr hunters simply gave up the hunt ... it must have been the smoke... and fearing that a change of wind would bring fire upon them."
“THINK Atahr,” Yahnna issued hermost commanding stance, her arms, hands and fingers signing in bold of gestures, "Jayah would not have gone the shorter route to the south because it's not the fastest"! Atahr's face paled immediately, knowing that she was right... Jayah was headed toward a section of forest that was longer, but much easier to traverse, a section that eventually veered southwest until she could emerge onto the beach near the western face of Ursus Minorica.
It took everything for Yahnna to hold on to Atahr as he drug her along in his attempt to dash madly down the trail. Following her lead those nearby pulled him to a stop, where Yahnna then barring his way could gain his attention and attempt to rationalize with the distraught young man.
Atahr fought to loose himself and when he realized it was impossible he focussed on what Yahnna was trying so hard to convey. "Atahr... there is just one thing everyone needs to be aware of before you follow the trail", she beckoned the others to gather for her instruction. "As the trail opens beyond the trees and before it approaches the shore, it will pass through a swath of low lying shrub that MUST be avoided even though circling around will cost time. Each shrub is equipped with small seemingly innocent thorns, but even the slightest scratch transmits a powerful serum that will cause a delayed reaction, one that will leave your flesh burning as though on fire, and it will continue to work slowly into your system until your legs are numb and unable to move... a temporary paralysis that could delay everything... saving Jayah's life if indeed still possible, and it could result in being the end of us if the Bahr-Bahr were smart enough to avoid the peril. She looked into Atahr's eyes for a sign of acknowledgement before motioning for his release. Atahr was off in a flash, not looking back to see that Yahnna had given the command for the others to follow.
Atahr was still in the wood, running well ahead of the others when he heard the tell-tale low rumble followed almost immediately by an ear shattering CRACK!!
When Atahr finally came to the beach, his eyes caught sight of the outcrop. There was no one ... no Jayah and no Bahr-Bahr hunter anywhere to be seen. To Atahr, this could mean only one thing if indeed Jayah's dream had been a vision of the future... one that was unfolding at this very moment. He, as with each of his Clan members, were aware of the rock slide on the outcrops eastern side that made it more accessible... it would be the only way that the Bahr-Bahr who were not adept at climbing, could make it to the top... and as Jayah's vision had revealed, at least one had done just that.
"It could be" Atahr thought to himself, "that the Bahr-Bahr have just arrived to the other side ... and perhaps they haven't yet started their ascent". It was a slim hope that he clung to as though it were a fact that would enable him to intercept the attack and save Jayah. He quickly assessed the situation. The quickest route was to make a bee-line across the beach that led to the section of the outcrop nearest him... to a section of cliff that was the shortest route up, but was also the most perilous. Atahr ran to it as though his life depended on it... and to him, it did. The threat of even more lightning... or testing fate by breaking one of Ayah's golden rules didn't matter to him. He didn't bother to look at the sky for any of the signs, all that mattered at the moment was getting to Jayah with no time to lose.
Before turning around, each member had sprung into action, immediately breaking off into two groups. The more able bodied individuals with spears poised and moving with lethal speed, took up strategic positions surrounding the second group, mostly children who huddled together.
All expected to see Yahnna being pursued by a formidable predator, a cave lion... ursus... or a pack of wolves. When they saw nothing in pursuit, they lowered their weapons and allowed the hairs at the nape of their neck to relax. Half of the first group ran out to meet their Shaman who was running towards them, and even though her lips were tightly pursed, a silent scream remained etched on her face. It was out of character for their leader to break one of Ayah's golden rules and in the case of a scream, only a life threatening danger could justify the breach. Whatever it could be, all were certain that danger was imminent... lurking somewhere.
As those running toward her gathered around, Yahnnah signed first in bold gestures, giving instruction to the others still huddled together in the distance-- they were to continue moving along with the journey.
Turning to the others now before her, Yahnnah's gnarled hands formed intricate signs with such precision that even before she had finished, Atahr, having understood enough, was already quickly on the way, heading back down the slope . Quickly Yahnna instructed a few of those gathered to follow him, and then turning to the two fleetest scouts, she instructed them to run ahead of the first group w to Ursa Majorica, their original destination where other Clans were gathered. They were to enlist tribal warriors who would swiftly make their way to Ursa Minorica.
It was mostly down hill and so Atahr and those following him made good time. Atahr was the first to reach the small clearing where they had camped the night before. He ran to very spot where earlier that morning Jayah had parted into the wood. There was no obvious trail where she had entered and nor was there any indication that she had retraced her steps, but this didn't mean much considering her exceptional stealth and skill at passing through woodlands without leaving a trace. Atahr circled the outer perimeter of the encampment until he found what he was looking for ... and dreading. It was a wide blazing trail, not in the direction where the clan had left... and yet it was the kind of trail left by predators when in hot pursuit of prey. Still, it wasn't headed south toward the sea and to Ursa Minorica, the small outcrop of land where Yahnna claimed Jayah was headed. This gave Atahr hope... he wanted so much to believe that Yahnna had been wrong!
Atahr knew in his heart and mind that Jayah would indeed do the very thing that Yahnna now feared was the case. He knew that the only reason his beloved mate would use herself as bait and so leave forever those she loved most in the world, would be that her death and the death of their unborn child was inevitable. In such a case, Atahr knew that Jayah would choose to use her last breath protecting the ones she loved most.
Within moments and as the others and then Yahnna arrived at the encampment, they found Atahr in state of euphoric, almost giddy relief. "You see Yahnna", he rushed to her side signing and pointing to the trail , "it veers to the east and not the south... the Bahr-Bahr hunters simply gave up the hunt ... it must have been the smoke... and fearing that a change of wind would bring fire upon them."
“THINK Atahr,” Yahnna issued hermost commanding stance, her arms, hands and fingers signing in bold of gestures, "Jayah would not have gone the shorter route to the south because it's not the fastest"! Atahr's face paled immediately, knowing that she was right... Jayah was headed toward a section of forest that was longer, but much easier to traverse, a section that eventually veered southwest until she could emerge onto the beach near the western face of Ursus Minorica.
It took everything for Yahnna to hold on to Atahr as he drug her along in his attempt to dash madly down the trail. Following her lead those nearby pulled him to a stop, where Yahnna then barring his way could gain his attention and attempt to rationalize with the distraught young man.
Atahr fought to loose himself and when he realized it was impossible he focussed on what Yahnna was trying so hard to convey. "Atahr... there is just one thing everyone needs to be aware of before you follow the trail", she beckoned the others to gather for her instruction. "As the trail opens beyond the trees and before it approaches the shore, it will pass through a swath of low lying shrub that MUST be avoided even though circling around will cost time. Each shrub is equipped with small seemingly innocent thorns, but even the slightest scratch transmits a powerful serum that will cause a delayed reaction, one that will leave your flesh burning as though on fire, and it will continue to work slowly into your system until your legs are numb and unable to move... a temporary paralysis that could delay everything... saving Jayah's life if indeed still possible, and it could result in being the end of us if the Bahr-Bahr were smart enough to avoid the peril. She looked into Atahr's eyes for a sign of acknowledgement before motioning for his release. Atahr was off in a flash, not looking back to see that Yahnna had given the command for the others to follow.
Atahr was still in the wood, running well ahead of the others when he heard the tell-tale low rumble followed almost immediately by an ear shattering CRACK!!
When Atahr finally came to the beach, his eyes caught sight of the outcrop. There was no one ... no Jayah and no Bahr-Bahr hunter anywhere to be seen. To Atahr, this could mean only one thing if indeed Jayah's dream had been a vision of the future... one that was unfolding at this very moment. He, as with each of his Clan members, were aware of the rock slide on the outcrops eastern side that made it more accessible... it would be the only way that the Bahr-Bahr who were not adept at climbing, could make it to the top... and as Jayah's vision had revealed, at least one had done just that.
"It could be" Atahr thought to himself, "that the Bahr-Bahr have just arrived to the other side ... and perhaps they haven't yet started their ascent". It was a slim hope that he clung to as though it were a fact that would enable him to intercept the attack and save Jayah. He quickly assessed the situation. The quickest route was to make a bee-line across the beach that led to the section of the outcrop nearest him... to a section of cliff that was the shortest route up, but was also the most perilous. Atahr ran to it as though his life depended on it... and to him, it did. The threat of even more lightning... or testing fate by breaking one of Ayah's golden rules didn't matter to him. He didn't bother to look at the sky for any of the signs, all that mattered at the moment was getting to Jayah with no time to lose.
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