#wolcheks

But what triggers it? 

The following event occurs several months before the main story.

-

Nichisa - the one who laughs the loudest.

Etta - the one whose hands are skilled.

Messa - the one that remembers everything.

Khre - the one who swims like a frog.

Rzay - the one whose legs are fastest.

Nuoh - the one who likes birds.

And...

“Ino!”

Tonn-acha’s voice has been weak and hoarse for a very long time now. He moves with difficulty, losing his breath after a couple of steps; his eyes can barely distinguish faces of his kin and ever so often he would wail in excruciating pain because his very bones are crumbling. Unlike his aged body - I don’t think even Tonn-acha knows how many springs he has witnessed - his mind is as sharp and attentive as ever.

That’s why I expected this. I slowly stand up, followed by Ulsa, Amto and others, to calmly great our clan’s acha.

Sun is close to submerging in its resting place, far away in the Eternal Waters, and cold wind still smells of snow. Forest is yet to awaken from its winter slumber.

I and twelve other Wolcheks had gathered about half an hour walk away from our clan’s settlement. Scattered here and there we sat in silence for some time, lost in the dark paths of our thoughts. We already decided what must be done and we were forlornly aware of the consequences. But more than future, we were afraid of the past.

Tonn-acha takes his stand couple of meters away from our group, leans on his walking stick and begins to cough his lungs out. Nobody assists him - everyone knows that Tonn-acha can throw a mean punch in the guts if he’s insulted. Only Khirina-ai, slender and beautiful like a birch, puts her small hand on Tonn-acha’s back. Our eyes meet.

Even after ten years I can still smell her skin just by looking at her. My nostrils are overpowered by aroma of tea leaves, bee honey and chestnuts as if my face is sliding down her neck at this exact moment. I am softly blinded by memories of my first kiss, first embrace and first bonding with a woman. I remember when her long, silvery white hair and her colourful necklaces were her only garments for days when we first started bonding. A smile almost escapes my lips.

With a final rattle, Tonn-acha spits out whatever was chocking him and squints at me. I recall how fearsome and sagacious this man used to be - every young warrior wanted to become just like him. It is almost unbelievable that this is the same person: those once intense eyes are now dim like two rocks; the useless, grisly yellow teeth in his mouth are broken and dull, and his tail is shabby like an overused broom. This is an old, old Wolchek. “Ino, come closer.”

I take a step forward; there was no need to come any closer to the old man - he only wished to know at whom he should yell but his eyes needed some aid.

“Why?”, he asks. I remain silent. I am aware he knows all the answers and his questions are only game of power. “Why?” his rasp question is followed by a concerning sigh. “Why are you dividing our clan?”

“Don’t blame all of this on him!” Ulsa interrupts. “We have to do this. They deserve a rest.”

“The risk is too big, Ulsa.” Tei, Ulsa’s other soul, is next to Tonn-acha and has been opposing to our plan from the beginning. No wonder, though - he is afraid of humans more than anyone I know. “You could lose your life.”

Tonn-acha hits Tei’s chest with his stick. Young man gasps in surprise and pain but backs away without complaint.

“That is not why they shouldn’t do it.” Tonn-acha glares at me for a long time and everybody waits in silence for what he has to say. “Humans will get mad like they easily do. They will seek retribution and hunt us down - not only our clan but others as well. Oh yes, we will be able to hide and we will be able to regrow in time, but the cost... Are you even aware of the cost of your actions, you insolent pup!”

I take in a deep breath. This man is my acha, my guardian, my teacher and my parent. But he had lost vitality, he lost all of his boldness long time ago. He is so close to death that he now barely cares for the needs and hopes of the living.

Khirina-ai watches me with cold eyes, almost scrutinizing me like I’m an outsider, someone unfamiliar. Someone dangerous. “They are in pain,” I respond. “They suffer.”

Khirina-ai shakes her head slowly. A cold air envelopes me and I grit my teeth. “You know why.” Her voice is deep and strong, resonating like an autumn’s rain. “Their souls are waiting for their murderer. Their pain will end eventually.”

I scowl. I talked to her about it. Three times I approached her and confided to her - but she didn’t listen.

“No!” Ulsa shrieks with her eyes wide from sorrow and anguish. “No. Nichisa... My dear, dear little sister, she... She cries. She visits me when I sleep, kneels next to me and cries. Doesn’t say anything, just - weeps and sobs. That’s wrong. Something is wrong.”

Khirina-ai tilts her head giving Ulsa a sympathetic smile, similar to a mother’s when she hears her child’s silly request. “Ulsa, it doesn’t make sense. Just think about it - there must be something else worrying you to dream about your sister so vividly after twenty years?”

Ulsa blinks in confusion.”W-what do you mean?”

With a knowledgeable smile, beaming from pride and joy, Khirina-ai exclaims: “Why, I believe you are with child!”

Ulsa blinks again, gaping at Khirina-ai like a startled toad, and then timidly places the palm of her hand on her belly.

There is a growing storm beneath my heart. An acidic bitterness that gnaws my flesh and streams through my veins. I know Khirina-ai’s tricks - honey is dripping, oozing from her mouth, her gaze is as soft as a supplest petal, her hands gentle like a spring breeze. She lulls you with her kind words and smiles, and then you move to her will believing it is your own desire. Khirina-ai is our leader, our caregiver and mother. The shepherdess of our dreams.

-