The Days of the Deer by Liliana Bodoc Read Free Book Online

are all threads from the same weave.’
    Dulkancellin looked round at his five children. The memory of the previous night’s dream flashed through his mind.
Old Mother Kush, I know
of another thread for your loom
, he
thought.
    A longer silence left each of them to their own thoughts. Kuy-Kuyen was thinking of her mother; Thungür of the message from the golden oriole. Kume was thinking about Kume.
Dulkancellin’s mind was on the Husihuilkes, while Kush was remembering her family’s earliest ancestors. Piukemán could not forget Kupuka, and Wilkilén was asleep . . .
until there was a loud, sharp knock at the door.
    ‘That’s Kupuka,’ said Kush in astonishment.
    ‘It’s Kupuka,’ the others whispered. His way of knocking was unmistakable.
    Dulkancellin strode across the room. Lifting the bar from the door, he let the Earth Wizard in. All the family had risen to their feet to welcome him. All except Wilkilén. She was so sure
Kupuka had come to scold them for crossing the Owl Gateway that she hid behind a pile of cloaks. None of the others saw her, so she lay there, curled up in her fear.
    Kupuka set aside his bag and his staff. He was obviously very tired, with an age-old weariness that made his slanted eyes seem even narrower than usual.
    ‘Greetings to you, brother Dulkancellin,’ said Kupuka, following the Husihuilkes’ traditional words of welcome. ‘And I ask your leave to stay here, in your
lands.’
    ‘Greetings to you, brother Kupuka. I give you my permission. We are happy to see you well. We thank the path that brought you here.’
    ‘Wisdom and strength be with you all.’
    ‘May the same be with you, and more.’
    The best rug had been brought out for the Wizard to sit on. Kush got up to bring him some corn bread, but when he saw what she was doing, Kupuka stopped her.
    ‘Come back, Old Mother Kush! I will gladly have a slice of your bread, but in a little while.’ He turned to Dulkancellin. ‘Before anything else, I have to tell you that your
life is about to change as the colour of the air changes from day to night. I trust that the signs which went before me have succeeded in preparing you and your family for this.’
    ‘Yes, there have been signs,’ replied Dulkancellin. ‘But they were as unclear as your words are now.’
    The tone of her son’s reply made Kush think that it was time for her and her grandchildren to leave and go to the room where they all slept. She stood up cautiously; but once again, Kupuka
halted her.
    ‘I bring news that concerns you all. It’s important for you to stay and hear it. If Dulkancellin agrees, of course.’
    The warrior nodded, so Old Mother Kush sat down again without a word.
    ‘Good,’ said Dulkancellin, ‘let’s hear the news you bring.’
    Taking a dark root out of a small bag hanging from his waist, the Earth Wizard chewed on it for a while. Tied back with a thong, his long white locks left his thin face uncovered. His face was a
mass of contradictions. Deep wrinkles were a sign of the many years he had lived, and yet in his eyes shone the same proud gleam as that of the young warriors when they entered the field of
battle.
    ‘A man is walking through the forest towards this house. He is already very close. He is a Zitzahay, and has been sent by his people as both messenger and guide.’
    Dulkancellin raised his hand a little, asking to speak.
    ‘Wait a moment, Dulkancellin,’ said the Earth Wizard, trying to calm the warrior’s anxiety. ‘Everything I know is hazy and vague. I have many doubts and little clarity
about what I am going to say. It will save time if you let me speak without interrupting. Afterwards you can ask me whatever you like, although, believe me, I will not have many answers. Possibly
the messenger who is about to arrive will be able to respond more adequately than I can.’
    Dulkancellin seemed to acquiesce. He sat elbows on knees to listen to what the Earth Wizard had to say. Everyone else gazed at Kupuka