Open Road

It was said that on the night of her birth, the clouds emptied. Masika shifted on her cot, and burrowed more deeply under the furs. The cold rains of spring, for which she was named, hammered the outer courses of her tree house. Minimal heat came from a brazier whose coals had begun to dim. Despite her fur, she wished once more for a stone dwelling with a fireplace and a bed. However, as the daughter of a warrior woman, particularly a legendary one, she was stuck in the trees.

A low moan drifted across the wet night. Her father slept in the tree house above hers. It was on rainy nights that his nightmares worsened. She always wondered why it was so, for his comrades had died on a cool, beautiful autumn day. Well, if I check on him, then I can stir the coals, she thought, still unhappy with the notion of leaving the warm cot.

A bolt of lightning brightened the sky. A shriek split the night. Masika flung herself from the cot, and already knew that she was behind in the race her father had begun. His safety was her responsibility alone. She reached the outer rim of her tree house, and dove from the balcony. No matter how high in the great oak tree her father had lived, he would always fly from its branches. How he never broke his neck on the way down still amazed her. Always he headed to the west and the past he could not escape.

Great Goddess, don't make him reach the River! she prayed. Even on an awful night, wandering bands of river men with their deadly darts followed the flowing water. She never knew their purpose except to cause havoc. She always suspected that they wanted her father's pelt for a trophy. Great honor would come to the river man who had bagged the tiger who had slain Mumm-Ra.

Superior senses helped her track her wayward parent. How often had her mother chased after him? It was only natural that she would continue the tradition after her death. But I am so tired of it, Masika thought with creeping guilt. Her father had sacrificed so much. What was a little displeasure on her part. Her sensible brain reminded her of the danger of the river men. Suddenly she caught the strains of their high-pitched whistles. With a curse she pushed herself harder in pursuit of her father.

A glimpse of movement and fur rewarded her. She wanted to shout to her father, but that would only permit the river men an opportunity to close in faster. She lunged, and connected. She tumbled with him down an embankment. "Wake up!" she hissed in his ear. He struggled with her for a moment before whispering, "Masika?"

"River men," she warned.

The tiger and his daughter waited, and listened in silence. At least five men tracked them, Masika decided as the footfalls drew closer. The enemy stopped just above them, and consulted in low tones. An arrow suddenly shot past her ear, but she held her place as if made of stone. Two more arrows went wide, and splashed into the narrow stream further down the hill. Muttered curses and more discussion. All five men moved on. She made a long count, then gently touched what remained of her father's right shoulder. Down to the branching stream was their best chance.

Time ran slowly, but they reached the watercourse, and forded it. Dolomite caves dotted the opposite hill. They could shelter there for the rest of the night. Her favorite had an opening that was barely visible, but led into a large, dry chamber.

The rain intensified with the wind. Lightning streaked the sky as they approached the haven. She hadn't heard the sixth man. An arrow flew past her, and struck her father's left arm. He went down with a cry. Masika was glad her mother had taught her well. The knives strapped to her leg did not leave her side even in sleep. She drew her sharpest from under her shift, and crouched beside her father. Her keen eyes spotted the man. Rather than use a bow, he lunged toward them. Good. Let him believe we are defeated. She measured his paces. "Now," she cried, throwing her knife at the intruder. A blade of lightning ripped the ground, and knocked her down. She wondered if she had hit her target as consciousness fled her mind.

*****

Masika awoke to bird song. The sun barely lit the sky. Near dawn, she decided. Her second thought arrived swiftly: Not dead!

"Father!" she shouted, clambering over to her fallen parent. The arrow had skimmed his left arm. He had either pulled it free or it had fallen. The wound was not deep, but the river men's poison might be enough to kill him.

"Father," she said gently into his ear. He did not stir. She checked for breath and pulse, and was pleased. "Still too tough for them, old tiger," she said with pride.

She scanned her surroundings. The river man was not to be seen. Had the lightning taken him completely? It seemed unlikely. No choice remained but to get her father to the cave. Then she could go to her amazon sisters for help.

"Mother give me strength," she prayed. She was strong enough to drag him, but since he had only one arm, the logistics were more complicated. Still, she managed.

In the cave she gathered a stone, and spoke softly, "Light." She dropped the rock. It floated, a glowing orb that gave no heat. She had nothing to cover her father's nakedness. She sat back on her knees, and breathed deeply. She would indulge her tears later. She bent over her father, and kissed the side of his face that had remained beautiful and unscarred. "I will return soon, elder."

*****

Masika had not expected to get lost. She should have reached her village, but had not. Perplexed, she rested on a boulder after retracing her steps to a spot near the stream.

The wind rose slightly, carrying a catchy tune. A lyric she caught was funny, a play on words that teased gently. "But in Thunderan!" she suddenly shouted in shock. Few knew her father's native tongue. The voice was pleasant, but unfamiliar. But certainly not a river man, she thought.

The stranger, who had spoken her father's language, soon crossed into the clearing. "Starborn!" she exclaimed. But one she had never seen before.

The man nodded his head in greeting, then narrowed his eyes. "Have we met?" he asked. His appraised her state of dress. She, in turn, envied his warm tunic and trousers.

He seemed vaguely familiar. The star on his brow marked him as the unicorn master, yet the current keeper was a middle-aged female named Athena. "What has happened to the unicorn mistress?" she asked.

"There is no mistress, yet," he answered with a laugh, "although many would have it so."

"But Athena?"

"Not a female that I know."

The mystery would simply have to wait. The starborn, whoever he was, was as tall as her father. With his raven hair and green eyes, many would judge him comely. What she needed was not his beauty, but his strength and healing. "My father is injured. Can you help me?"

"Show the way," he answered without hesitation.

*****

"These injuries are old," the man named Xerxes said. "And how he has survived them...."

"He almost did not," Masika replied. "Only my mother Willa possessed the skill and courage to keep him here."

The starborn finished rubbing a red herb into the arrow wound. He spoke a few words, a light chant that promised healing. "That should draw out any remaining poison. If you remain here with your father, I will return with transport and clothes. He should rest at my cottage."

"But the warrior women's kingdom--"

"Is not far from here. Give him some true peace and quiet for a few days with me."

Masika stood, brushing leaves and dirt from her knees. She felt foolish clad only in her sleeping shift, and she was too tired to argue. "After you have taken care of father, I will return home." And hopefully sort through all that has happened, she thought ruefully. The strangeness of the last day finally unsettled her.

The starborn sighed, an odd response. "Best, I believe to wait with me." He hesitated before continuing, "That way, when...Tygra...awakens, he will have the comfort of your presence. I...I will let your leader know."

Too much uncertainty. Too much suspicion. That is what made her draw her knife. "Reveal yourself. What have you done to Athena." She had to give him credit for courage. Although the blade rested against his throat, he did not flinch.

"Search your heart," he answered softly. "The way to home has changed because--"

"I am no longer there."

*****

Masika was unsure when the rain had begun again. The cheery fire in Xerxes cottage warmed her not. He coaxed, "Please eat something." The soup and fresh bread did war for her attention, but she knew that she could not enjoy either one. The knot in her stomach was too fierce. The starborn sat on a chair next to hers. He warmed his hands by the fire. "I know it is strange, but we will sort out what has happened, and there are those of greater magic who could help you, I am sure."

The waver in his voice belied his conviction. Her father rested peacefully, and that was all that mattered. Masika pulled the blanket closer. They had not needed to cross the River to reach the starborn's dwelling because the River was already behind them. She knew then with sickening certainty that home was forever beyond her reach.