* * *
Marwan awoke, startled, and immediately jumped to his feet. He looked around, dazed. He realized he was unharmed. Neither Julia nor the black bear were anywhere to be seen. Marwan was afraid. He shivered as he realized his strength and size meant nothing in the fight against her. The spell Julia had cast on him was sudden and he knew she possessed a strong magic. Where could she be? Why had she and the bear disappeared? Marwan forgot about getting any water and started to run out of the marshy area and back towards the trail—to home.
The sun was high overhead and as Marwan ran, he realized that the morning had passed. Ma would be home by the time he got there and right now, everyone must be wondering where he was. Marwan stumbled on a rock that seemed to come out of nowhere on the trail. He nervously looked around while resuming his sprint.
The encounter with Julia shook him up pretty badly and overshadowed his wondrous journey to the Spirit World the night before. Finally, he saw the village ahead. As he started to pass familiar faces he knew, he slowed down, but still looked at everyone cautiously as though they might transform into an evil spirit hoping to attack him.
When he arrived home, Marwan burst through the doorway and saw Benyamina and Maji talking together in a friendly discussion; Pa was evidently gone again. Marwan then realized he must’ve looked pretty bad as the two immediately looked over at him with surprised expressions and wide eyes.
“What have you been doing?” Benyamina had a look of concern.
Maji took a few steps toward Marwan and gave him a heartfelt embrace. He knew she must have missed him and he felt consoled. He felt good to be back home and to see that his mother had returned safely. He didn’t know what to say, however, and was at a loss for words as to how to begin telling them where he had been, what had happened and why he had left.
So instead, Marwan just said, “I was wandering around the Cedar Forest getting some fresh air. I’m sorry I wasn’t back sooner. I guess I lost track of time.”
Benyamina said, “You went to the Cedar Forest without saying anything to anyone?! Did anything magical happen to you while you were out in that enchanted land?”
Maji didn’t say anything; she just smiled and gave him a look like she didn’t know whether to believe him or not.
Before anything more could be asked of him, Marwan hastily said, “So tell me about your trip, Mother!” Marwan acted happy and was hoping to dodge his fearful feelings for the moment while turning the attention away from his disheveled self.
Maji sighed and seemed to be okay with the diversion to her at the moment. But before beginning to recount her travels to him, she asked, “Have you seen Pa? He wasn’t here this morning and Benyamina said she didn’t see him last night, either. It seems odd that he wasn’t here to meet me—I have a strange feeling—but maybe he got busy with some important tribal matter.” She shrugged, as if to shake off some feeling she had.
Marwan was amazed Pa hadn’t returned home last night and felt himself becoming angry again. But he quickly remembered his trip to the Spirit World and that his heart had felt there was something more to Pa’s strange behavior than some simple explanation. He calmed down and said, “Maybe he did simply become busy. I think something must be going on here in the village. He has been gone two nights in a row now.”
His voice shook a tiny little bit as he nervously continued, “I hope we find out whatever it is soon.”
“I’m sure we will—and I’m sure everything will end up just the way it should.” Maji nodded her head as though she was convincing herself that all was well.
Then, she related the trip to Marwan as Benyamina listened and chimed in occasionally to tell Marwan when a good part or bit of information was coming up. She had obviously already heard much about the journey. It was a fruitful trip and the Akkadians were more than happy to have had her stay with them. She told them stories about the cosmos and the various souls of the Earth while they listened intently to her unique insights.
Marwan watched Maji’s face light up as she related her recent travels and the enlightenments those around her discovered. He could swear the glow coming from her smile and filling the room with kind words seemed to make the room brighter. Her soul is a beautiful emanation of spirit, reflected by the beauty she possesses and gives to all, everywhere she steps foot, Marwan thought to himself.
“…and then, after talking about the hopes and dreams of some of the leaders of the Akkadians, we talked about time and present moment awareness.” Maji was talking more quietly now, as if the most important part of her story needed to be told with a reverence and concentration.
She looked directly at Marwan now, almost as though she was speaking to him just as much as she had spoken to the leaders of the Akkadian tribe. “Every thought you think is creating your future. And most importantly, the thoughts you are having right now create the experiences you will have. Your future is being created as we speak—right now.”
Maji then pointed to the ceiling and in all directions as she said, “Most people think they are walking to and from places. Like when you went to the Cedar Forest yesterday, you probably thought you traveled through the village and ended there. But what really happened is that the Cedar Forest came to you. You are really a spirit that is having a dream about having two legs that move you around, but like in a dream, you are actually laying in the same spot the entire time. The same is with reality and our life here on Earth. You are simply walking in place and all things come to you rather than you to them. You’re not going anywhere, you are bringing everywhere to you. And your reality or awareness of All-That-Is is created by the thoughts you are thinking—even the thoughts you don’t realize you are thinking.”
Maji stopped for a second while Marwan thought about what she had just said. Then she spoke in an even more hushed tone, almost at a whisper. “You are far greater than you know, Marwan—far greater than you have ever believed. Life is but a dream within a dream.”
Marwan suddenly remembered Inanna saying the same thing to him just the night before in the Spirit World. He was transported back to the magic of the experience and the transcendence of the moment he was in. He took a deep breath and wanted to find Pa and finally get an answer about Kübra.
Marwan suddenly said, “I have to go. I need to find an answer for something.” He looked over at Benyamina and smiled. He turned back and gave Maji another hug. They both looked at him strangely but said nothing, as though they understood the importance and sincerity of his urgency.
As he walked out the front entrance, he felt extremely thankful for the pure love that he always received from Maji. She’s an amazing human being. I’m so fortunate to have her advice and support, illuminating the darkness for me every single day as my mother. He turned back to wave good-bye and as he did, he could swear he saw a circular glowing, golden light coming from Maji’s head. She looked more beautiful than ever before. He turned back to the path, determined to find Pa.
As he walked down the paths through the village, he realized he didn’t really know where to go. There were a handful of places that Pa might be, yet there were no guarantees. He was a social man and talked with many people through the day. His work as the ensi was to keep the cohesiveness and harmony of not only the Sumerian tribe, but the relationship the Sumerian tribe had in unity with the other tribes in the village, too. He could be anywhere.
Strange, Marwan thought as he walked along, the village seems quieter than normal. But maybe it’s just me. I really do feel like a different person than I was just a few days ago. He thought about the incident with Tyre again and for the first time actually felt saddened by his actions. He realized he was in fact being childish and cringed for a moment, regretting the push. This time, it wasn’t just for Darius, but for Tyre, too.
Marwan decided that he would befriend Tyre. Maybe Tyre really didn’t have any role models, Marwan thought. If Tyre were to ever become a better person, someone would have to show him a little love—even if that m
eant dealing with some negativity in the process. At that moment, Marwan felt up to a challenge. He decided to stop through the market and pick up a gift. He decided on some spiced candies for Tyre as a gesture of goodwill. Maybe I can change something between us, between him and his own mental demons.
Marwan stopped looking for Pa for a bit and set off to the home Tyre lived at. It was close to the main game area and if he wasn’t home, he was sure to be with the others at the game spot. Then Marwan was struck with another thought—Tyre always likes to be around people. Maybe he is really craving some kind of connection that he doesn’t know how to make. Poor Tyre. More determined than ever, Marwan went looking for him.
Tyre wasn’t home, though, and he wasn’t at the game spot either. Disappointed, Marwan resolved to find him sooner than later but went back to looking for Pa.
“Oh no!” Marwan stopped in his tracks as he realized that he’d never met up with Aiden the night before, because he had been in the Cedar Forest. I need to find him, too, and apologize for missing our meeting.
Not five minutes later, Marwan saw Aiden sitting on a bench by himself.
“Aiden!” Marwan called over to his new friend as he started walking towards him. Aiden didn’t seem surprised to see him or miffed or otherwise disappointed they didn’t meet the night before.
“Marwan, good to see you again! I was expecting you.”
“Of course you were, fortuneteller. I’m sorry I missed…”
Aiden interrupted, “Don’t speak nonsense. Think no more about it. I’m just hoping that you have found a feeling of great peace since the last time we talked. You were pretty troubled then.”
“Thanks, and yeah I feel pretty good right now. The only thing is, I can’t find Pa and apparently he didn’t come home last night. Have you seen a tall, proud man walking with others and looking important? He has a large walking stick made of cedar with a starfish affixed to the top to symbolize our tribe. He’s the ensi of us Sumerian’s and is usually talking with a group of people who look up to him. Either that or he may be sitting somewhere with an ensi of a different tribe, discussing trading or other tribal matters.”
Aiden smiled and looked up at the sky. “He’s a good man, isn’t he? I do know him—or at least I’ve seen him around. But I haven’t seen him today. Aiden’s smile vanished and he had a faraway look in his eyes. Aiden muttered, “Today, today…” but trailed off.
Marwan said, “Oh, I didn’t know you had seen him. I have a question for him and he always has an answer to any problem. I know there’s a reason I saw him and K…” Marwan stopped himself before divulging everything to Aiden. He felt like he could trust Aiden but realized he hadn’t said anything to anyone yet about seeing Pa and Kübra, and decided to keep quiet about it until he talked to Pa.
Instead of finishing his sentence, Marwan tried to cover up his abrupt pause and said, “I know there’s a reason for everything. He probably even knows the answer to the meaning of life.”
Aiden’s smile returned to his face and he said, “You know, Marwan, someday you’ll realize that the meaning of life isn’t a problem to be solved but simply a moment to experience. You are creating your destiny and bringing your fate to you. Your challenge is to be the designer of your future, rather than let your future be the designer of you. All your answers are already within you, growing in every moment, waiting for you to see them flower into fragrant, colorful experiences. You can trust me on that.”
“It seems like everyone has been telling me these types of things lately.” Marwan shook his head.
Aiden said, “When the student is ready to evolve, to change, the teacher appears—whether that be a teacher in the form of a person, a situation, or even listening to the wind whoosh through the trees. No student is really taught anything, but rather is pointed in the right direction to discover the answers for themselves—or rather, to discover themselves.”
Marwan smiled, nodded in agreement and motioned to Aiden that they should start walking again. “In any case, I need to find Ensi Pa. Hopefully I’m pointed in the right direction now because I need an answer from him to a question I have about something that’s been burning me up the last couple days.”
Marwan looked up and noticed an eagle flying in circles not far away, just outside the village. He remembered seeing that same eagle earlier this morning when meeting the witch, Julia. Marwan had a strange feeling come over him.
“Aiden, perhaps we should follow that eagle.” Marwan pointed up to the sky and Aiden closed his eyes as he nodded in approval. They started walking in that direction with Marwan leading the way.
“Aiden, what do you know about the Spirit World? I ask because I was able to visit it last night and while there, I met a goddess named Inanna who reassured me you were a friend.
“You didn’t think I was a friend?” Aiden looked at Marwan questioningly.
“Well, mostly it was just Apate that caught me off-guard. You both showed up at the same time, which made me a little wary. She’s a hard one to read, isn’t she?”
“Very. I wouldn’t worry too much about her, Marwan. She’s a trickster, it’s true, but ultimately you will be pointed in the right direction for the greater good of yourself and the ones you love.
“So you met Inanna, did you? Isn’t she beautiful?”
“The most beautiful woman I have ever met—at least in spirit. I actually met another woman recently that was beautiful on the outside but turned out to be a savage on the inside. She knew you, too.”
Aiden stayed looking straight ahead as they continued walking. He whispered, “Julia.”
“You know her too, then?” Marwan wanted Aiden to tell him what he knew about her before launching into the full dialog of what happened.
“Yes, of course. I’ve known her for many lives—many, many lives now.
“But before we talk about her I want to touch on what you just said about Inanna’s beauty versus Julia’s beauty. Your mother, Maji, is rumored to be the most beautiful woman in these lands, too, Marwan. How does she compare to the other two?”
“She’s my ma, Aiden. It is true she is beautiful on the outside and inside, too, but I think she would be beautiful to me even if she were disfigured and hideous looking. Her spirit is so gentle and—well, just wonderful. She’s always been good to my family and me and literally, I owe her my life.”
“Three types of beauty, then, Marwan. Which do you think is the most important?”
Marwan thought for a second and said, “Julia’s beauty is only temporary, and once talking with her and hearing her cackling laughs and cries, it becomes apparent she is messed up, rotten and twisted on the inside. She’s a witch, in fact, manipulating those around her. Her stunning looks seem to be another tool of manipulation.
“Inanna’s beauty was really her spirit, the opposite of Julia. She was beautiful to gaze upon to be sure, but not in a perfect way. In fact, now that I remember her in my mind’s eye, she seemed to be more average looking—except those striking, glowing green-eyed windows to her soul. There were landscapes and entire worlds contained in her eyes. And what’s more, our connection was like the Earth and the moon, revolving around each other. I think that type of beauty comes from a feeling of connectedness, a desire to be together, to unite forces for a common goal.
“And then my mother is different, too. She is like a caretaker, a nurturer and guide. Her gentle suggestions on what to do or how to act always seem to be a path of self-discovery and fulfillment. I am connected to her, but more like how a leaf is connected to a branch, growing from a tree deep in the Earth with roots, rather than how I felt next to Inanna in the heavens. Her beauty seems to be a gift from the heavens for her beautiful spirit.”
Aiden smiled and looked at Marwan. They stopped walking for a moment in the cool shadow of a lone cedar tree. Marwan knew Aiden had something important to say.
“Those three types of beauty are all emanations of love in one form or another. In fact, even though Julia seemed t
o be vile and her beauty is only an appearance of her skin, it is more than that as well. Sometimes things are the opposite of what they seem.”
Marwan asked, “What are you trying to say?”
“Smiling and being grateful during times of prosperity or abundance is easy to do. It is easy for someone to think that they are in control of their destiny and take responsibility for their actions when feeling fulfilled. However, it is a great joy to the Universe and truly admirable when someone can take responsibility for their actions and be thankful when the world around them seems to be ugly and falling apart. When there is nothing left, yet a soul is still thankful simply for that experience of lack—that is powerful and the energetic repercussions resonate throughout all of the cosmos.”
“What does that have to do with Julia? She is already beautiful and yet isn’t thankful for anything other than her skin, it seems.”
“That is the opposite of what I just explained and those repercussions are great as well. She made quite an impact on you, did she not?”
“She tried to kill me!” Marwan blurted out.
“And she will try again—many times. And many times she will succeed. Your mission is not to become trapped by her fear, hatred and the various forms of downward spirals to self-imprisonment.”
“She will kill me many times? How do you know this—why can’t I stop it or avoid it if you know?”
“Search your heart, Marwan. There are things you wish to discover which have now set you on this path. Like you have been told, this is your last life as this version of your soul. Your next life will be the first as a new soul, once again, and you will be ready for a new set of adventures and a new mission to accomplish.
“Remember these three types of beauty—if you can. During your next series of lives you will see all three of these types mixed up and together, sometimes indistinguishable from each other. You will need to stay true to yourself and your journey if you are to ever find your true love again.”
“Inanna?”
“She will be waiting for you, always, Marwan. But you will not recognize her at first. She will be called a different name—her true name. You heard her name as Inanna because that is the closest name in your current life experiences which enabled you to see her as close to the real her as possible. The length of time it takes for you to see her as who she really is will be the length of time it takes you to start to realize who you really are.”
The eagle circling in the sky distracted Marwan’s attention. They were near the edge of the village now and the eagle was nearer than ever. It seemed to be flying less than half a mile away. It seemed to be pulling Marwan towards it.
“I think we should keep walking, Aiden. There’s something about that eagle flying overhead. It is telling me something, I am sure of it. And there’s something else, too. I seem to feel like something bad—something terrible—is happening right now. The village seemed too quiet today and Pa has been acting strange lately. I couldn’t find anyone I was looking for in the village today—except you. But you’ve told me all about death and omens. Something is happening, I can feel it.”
Marwan quickened his pace toward the direction of the eagle and just before leaving the last few huts and tents on the outskirts of the village, the flaps on one of the tents opened. To Marwan’s surprise, Apate emerged and looked straight at him. Marwan slowed as he saw her and she walked towards him, urging him and Aiden to stop and talk with her.
“Marwan, I’m so glad to see you now. I have to tell you what I just witnessed.” Apate was in a frenzy, obviously distraught and seemed to be stricken with a sense of urgency.
Marwan looked up at the eagle and back down to Apate. There is something going on here and all of this is connected, Marwan thought. From my mother’s trip and Pa’s disappearances, to meeting Aiden and Apate, to traveling to the Spirit World and seeing Inanna, to being cursed by Julia, and now this eagle. What clue will Apate provide right now?
“What did you see, Apate?” Marwan couldn’t help but be sucked into the sense of urgency that Apate had.
“I swear I just saw your Pa tied to an ox’s back and covered with blankets so no one would recognize him, or even tell that a person was under the blankets. A man was leading the ox that way.” Apate pointed in the direction of the eagle.
Marwan demanded, “How do you know it was Pa and why didn’t you alert anyone? Who was it?!” Marwan started to move in the direction of the eagle again and the only thing that kept him from running was the desire to get a little more information from Apate, in case she knew more or was somehow wrong, which he hoped.
Apate started following and said, “I heard a muffled cry for help and it sounded like your Ensi Pa.” Marwan started to run.
“Wait! One more thing, Marwan!” Apate called to Marwan to stop. Marwan turned and looked at her but kept moving.
“What?!” Marwan yelled at Apate.
She yelled, “I spoke with Kübra yesterday and she told me a few things.”
“What?! Marwan demanded as he kept running but slowed a little while Apate tried to keep up while yelling.
“That you must have heard the part about Án wanting to be the ensi instead of Pa?”
Marwan was caught off guard and momentarily perplexed. He tripped over a rock on the ground, but it just served to make him even more furious. He angrily said, “No, I walked away after hearing enough.” Marwan didn’t need to hear any more. He knew what Apate was getting at.
“Did she tell you Án was going to do something to Pa?” But Marwan had heard enough and already started running in the direction of the Eagle again. Apate didn’t need to say anything else to convince Marwan that if something happened to Pa, it was obviously Án who had orchestrated the abduction.
Marwan suspected that Án always wanted to be the Sumerian’s ensi. He didn’t think Án had it in him to plot something so treacherous, but apparently so. I hate him! Marwan was seething with anger.
Apate yelled one last thing to Marwan as he gained distance. “I think Án has done something with Pa!”
Marwan just kept running. There was nothing that would stop the momentum of Marwan now that he was afraid for his father’s safety. Aiden ran beside him. If Án has done anything to Pa, I swear I will kill him. Marwan kept thinking that same thought over and over.
Minutes later, they arrived underneath the area where the eagle was flying. It was a marshy area, where a tributary of the river flowed. Out of breath, Marwan looked up at the eagle, which had started to fly away. It was headed in the direction of the Cedar Forest. Marwan’s attention was on the muddy ground and the wild bushes that were thick, clumpy and overgrown all around. He was looking for any clues. He spotted ox tracks and followed them into a very muddy spot, which was so spongy and wet it was almost like quicksand.
The mud looked freshly disturbed. He sloshed over to the disturbance and reached down into it. He felt something soft—a blanket—and he grabbed ahold. To his horror, as he pulled the blanket up he realized something big—or someone—was wrapped up in it. He pulled and realized he was pulling a limp, lifeless body out of the marsh.
It was hard for Marwan to remember what happened next as the next few events transpired so quickly. But somehow he had unwrapped the body from the blankets next to the mud and found himself yelling up to the sky in agonizing pain. The body was, in fact, Pa—dead.
Marwan cursed the sky, the gods, the ground and most of all, Án. Sometime through his tearful rage, he noticed Aiden was still by his side, kneeling and looking like he was praying in respect for the lifeless body.
“Aiden!” Marwan choked out a yell, even though he was only a few steps away.
Aiden looked up at Marwan with a single tear running down his cheek. He solemnly and quietly said, “The answer to this atrociousness is not violence. Remember the lesson of Tyre.”
“To Hell with Tyre; to Hell with the lessons and to Hell with Án.” Then with more rage welling up, he forcefully yelled, “You are with me o
r against me and the Sumerians!”
“I am with you, Marwan, always.” Aiden looked saddened and pained but stood up anyway as he followed Marwan while they ran back to the village.
As they ran, the sky grew dark. It was getting late in the day but the sun was not setting yet; instead, dark clouds started to move in and block the light of day. The clouds were growing heavy and it would be raining before nightfall.
Marwan knew he had to go back to his house to tell Maji what had happened before finding Án and dealing with him. As he ran through the village, he saw Benyamina. Tearfully, he embraced her and told her Pa was dead and Án killed him. She knew in Marwan’s intensity he was serious. She immediately began to cry and fell to the ground in distress. Marwan instructed her to pull herself together and go to the elders of the Sumerians’ tribe in the village center. He asked her to tell them what had happened while he would find their mother. After her initial shock wore off, Benyamina mournfully but steadfastly moved in the direction of the village while Marwan turned and continued to his home.
When he arrived at his dwelling, he couldn’t believe what he saw. He blinked a couple times to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. The door flaps had recently been ripped off and laid on the ground next to the entrance. There were signs of a scuffle on the ground outside the front entrance yet the oxen that had taken Maji on her journey were still tied up to the posts where they were earlier in the day. In a panic, he ran inside the home, only to find it empty.
As he ran back outside, he heard a noise in the distance—an eagle’s call. The same eagle was flying overhead, on the other side of the village this time. It seemed to be moving further and further away as it circled. Marwan knew it was a sign. He searched inside his home for a weapon but could only find a knife used for cutting meat. He picked it up and ran back outside, determined to enact retribution for this wrongdoing. I know who attacked my family and I’m ready to kill him.
To his surprise, he saw Án approaching his home.
“You!” Marwan charged at Án with all his might and speed. As he darted towards Án, Marwan yelled, “You killed him!”
“Marwan, wait! I heard what happened—it wasn’t me!” Án pleaded as Marwan sprinted. “I want to help!”
“Liar!” Marwan screamed while Aiden simultaneously yelled, “Marwan! Don’t!”
There was nothing that would convince Marwan of Án’s innocence. Marwan was caught up in his emotions, couldn’t see clearly and didn’t remember his conversation with Inanna in the Spirit World.
Án stood up straight and braced himself for the attack. He didn’t have a weapon and wasn’t a skilled fighter like Marwan. Being smaller and skinnier than Marwan, he had no chance of defending himself against the muscular warrior that was charging towards him.
Marwan never wavered as he jumped into the air and tackled Án. Án was knocked to the Earth and his head slammed into the ground, dazing him. Stunned and half-conscious, Án tried to grab ahold of anything to get off the ground and away from Marwan. Unfortunately, he grabbed Marwan’s neck and without any hesitation, Marwan plunged the knife into Án’s heart. Án gasped for air and coughed up blood.
Like a crazed man, Marwan jumped up and backwards. He stood staring at Án, wide-eyed. Marwan was in a shocked, bloodthirsty frenzy and wasn’t fully present in that moment. As he came to, Marwan realized what had just happened and heard Án wheezing out a few last words.
“I know why you have always hated me—but I’ve only held your best interest at heart.” Án clasped his bleeding chest.
He continued, “I remind you of the parts of yourself that you despise. I wish I could have helped you, Marwan.”
“You killed Pa—you deserve to die.” Marwan was speaking softly now as though he couldn’t believe what was really going on.
“I loved Ensi Pa. You can’t see... I hope… you don’t suffer...” Án had a faraway look in his eyes and started to fade from the loss of blood that was pooling around his body, still laying in the dusty path.
As though the sky started to cry, Marwan felt the first drops of rain sprinkling for the night on his head and arms. The clouds opened up and within moments, it started raining.
Marwan shivered and looked around. He felt small. He felt very powerless and scared. Marwan whispered, “If you didn’t kill him, who did?”
But Án could no longer talk as he choked on the last few gulps of air he could take from the world. He closed his eyes and Marwan could tell he had just died.
“You wouldn’t hear it or believe anything except what you already conceived as the truth. This event will now stick with you through many lifetimes, Marwan, rippling consequences you can’t even imagine right now.” Aiden was standing behind Marwan as he spoke sternly to him.
Marwan turned around and, regaining some of his anger, said, “Fortuneteller, tell me who killed Pa. I know you know!”
Aiden looked Marwan straight in the eye and with all seriousness said, “Who do you think did it?”
Marwan saw the eagle flying overhead off in the distance and realized he needed to find Maji—now—before it was too late for her. It’s odd the eagle flies in the rain, he thought. Then Marwan realized that the direction the eagle was in was the exact same direction as where he had met Julia the day before.
Still staring at the sky, Marwan whispered, “Julia,” while little soft drops of rain splashed onto his face.
“You need to focus, Marwan. Only through focus and with meditative intent will you find the courage and hope that you need to overcome this last lesson.”
Marwan started running again. Like before, Aiden followed. Marwan was unsure what to do and felt more out of control than ever in his life. If it was true that Án was innocent, he had just killed an innocent medicine man out of uncontrolled rage. That sin was itself punishable by death or even worse—by banishment. But even worse than any punishment was that if Án was telling him the truth, than Marwan had misguidedly judged Án his entire life. Who am I?
As Marwan ran, he thought about how he didn’t want to be alone, exiled from his friends and the people he loved. He had lost too much today already. I feel like a child again, like I need my parents’ guidance—but now they are gone and it is too late for Pa. Is this mistake going to seal my fate?
What would the elders deem of this young man destined to be ensi but demonstrably childish and willing to murder out of a haunch? Apate tricked me, he realized as he ran. But instead of wishing death on her, in his anguished, contemplative state of mind, he hoped he could understand something more and somehow make it through this unreal, horrifying nightmarish ordeal.
It’s so hard to believe that Pa’s gone—and Án’s gone—and mother is nowhere to be found. Then a name sprang to his mind like a venomous snake lunging at its prey—Kübra. She must be involved somehow.
The rain was coming down harder with each passing minute. Marwan looked up for the eagle but it was no longer there. But Marwan didn’t need the sign anymore; he knew exactly where he was going—to the marshy lair of Julia.
Before he knew it, Marwan had sprinted the entire way to the same spot he had met Julia the day before. The sun was just setting on the horizon and he calculated he had about thirty minutes or so before it was completely dark and Julia would have a major advantage by knowing the territory. He had to act fast.
Marwan motioned to Aiden to be silent and to follow his lead. They slowed and walked silently, listening for anything out of the ordinary. Then Marwan heard it—a slight moaning. It was clearly the sound of someone in pain and probably barely conscious. Marwan couldn’t help it; he sprinted to the noise yelling, “Ma, Ma!”
He found her, but in the fading light of the day, Marwan wasn’t sure if the light was playing tricks on his eyes. He screamed in agonizing horror at the crumpled, broken body he saw laying before him.
“No, Ma, no, no, no…” Marwan couldn’t help but let the floodgates open from his eyes. The emotion of everything happening was too much to bear
and he put his head on the bruised, swollen and bloody face of Maji, cheek to cheek. She was still alive but Marwan didn’t know for how long.
She was contorted in ways that no human body should be. It was clear to Marwan that her back was broken; she was folded in half backwards. Her arms were a twisted mess as well, both of them broken. Her legs had been broken, too, and she was bleeding pretty badly; her clothing was torn and soaked in blood.
As if anything was worse than her body being so broken, her face had been cut up with a knife or some other object. She would have been unrecognizable to anyone except those who were closest to her.
As Marwan cried over finding his mother like this, she spoke to him in a choked voice. “Don’t be sad, Marwan, everything is going to be okay. But don’t let her become ensi, she can’t…”
“Who, mother?”
Maji hoarsely said, “Kübra. She’s jealous of all that’s beautiful and powerful. You must protect Benyamina. You and her are what’s left. Go find her, Marwan, before it’s too late.”
“I can’t leave you here like this, Mother!”
“I’m going to die, son, soon. No doctor in the land can help me now. I am too broken.”
“I’ll stay with her, Marwan.” Aiden stepped forward. “I’ll stay with her in her final moments and pray with her. I’ll see that her transition to the other side is hopeful and with light. You must save Benyamina—now.”
Marwan couldn’t imagine leaving his mother like that, but he had a profound sense Aiden was right. After killing Án, according to customs, Marwan would not be able to be ensi and Benyamina would be the rightful heir. And if Benyamina were murdered, Kübra, since she was Án’s partner, would be the next in line to take the place of ensi. After losing so much, at least he might have a chance at saving Benyamina. Marwan had just seen her less than an hour ago and he thought that there was a real possibility he could protect her.
Still clutching Maji, Marwan whispered, “I love you, Mother. I’m so thankful for all you have given to me and I’ll see you again. You’re such a beautiful soul, Mother. I am sure our journey together is far from over.” A tear fell from Marwan’s face onto Maji’s bloody cheek. It looked to Marwan like she smiled and to Marwan, it held all the radiance and beauty of the smile he knew was his mother’s.
Marwan continued, “I’ll get them for this, Mother. Kübra, Julia and whoever else is involved will pay for all the pain they’ve caused.”
Barely a faint whisper, Maji said, “Let it go, my warrior son. You will know so much someday. For now, save Benyamina and let Karma take care of it. Be a better man—the man I know you really are. Promise me.”
Marwan didn’t know what to say or do about her last request but knew he had to listen. He whispered, “You have my word.”
Marwan stood up and looked at Aiden with an honest expression of trust. It was understood what would happen now and no words were needed. Aiden knelt down beside Maji. Marwan turned away, wiped his eyes, and started sprinting back to the village as though he had wings. After about an hour as he ran back, the rain suddenly stopped and the clouds started to dissipate. Somehow, Marwan knew that Maji had passed on. He clenched his fists and ran even faster.
As he ran through the village, he decided to act on a haunch—go to the riverside where they always went. To his relief, he found Benyamina sitting there by the water looking at the moon’s reflection. She stood up and turned to Marwan as he approached. Marwan gave her a bear hug and she started sobbing on his shoulders. They didn’t say anything in those moments but just comforted each other.
Then, Marwan heard a noise coming from the trees close by. He looked up in alert and thought he saw three silhouettes in the moonlight.
“Benny, we must go. It is not safe here for you.” Marwan grabbed her hand and started to lead her down the path into the heart of the village where there would be more people. But then he heard the chanting of a wicked voice that sounded too familiar—Julia. He knew immediately what she was doing—she was casting another spell.
“Slipping and tripping you’re losing your footing
Stumbling and fumbling you tumble on down…”
Marwan wondered what had happened with the black bear last time and thought he probably wouldn’t be so lucky this time. He couldn’t afford to take any chances and needed to act fast. Before he knew it, he had tripped over a rock and fell to the ground.
“Wiggle and wriggle like worms that are squirming
Stuck to the web that ties you to the ground!”
Not this time, witch. Marwan grabbed the fist-sized rock he had just tripped on and as he fell, with the last of his strength he threw it at Julia. It was a direct hit to the center of her chest. He heard her gasp and she must have fallen backwards because he heard a crash in the brush. As her concentration was broken, he immediately felt the effects of the spell wane.
Marwan pulled out the knife he had taken from his home earlier, jumped to his feet and ran towards the place where he knew she had just fallen. He heard the brush move and it seemed like someone was running away. Julia was lying on the ground trying to recover her breath, but beside her, Kübra stood glaring at Marwan.
Kübra’s face looked just as evil as Julia’s. The only difference between the two was that whereas Julia looked lost and insane, Kübra looked determined, like she was catching a meal. To Marwan’s amazement, Kübra had a long knife and suddenly stabbed it right through Julia’s heart while she was still trying to regain her breath. Julia’s eyes widened and Marwan knew her life only had moments left. Kübra then pulled out a small bag from her side and threw it towards Marwan.
It was a powdery substance in the bag that went flying through the air. Marwan jumped back and most of it landed in the dirt beside him, but a small amount landed on his right leg. He immediately felt a stinging—then a burning through his skin. He realized it was some kind of acid powder that she had and the burning instantly brought Marwan to the ground in pain. He dropped his knife. Marwan tried to regain his balance and stand up but Kübra had reached him already.
Marwan could swear he saw fangs as Kübra hissed at him, “I’ll be the ensi now, and the most beautiful woman in the world. Your mother never deserved anything and she screamed in pain as I beat her and cut her.” Kübra laughed hideously as the acid burned through Marwan’s skin. As he tried to get up, Kübra swung the same bloody knife she had just killed Julia with at Marwan, slashing his chest. Marwan yelled in pain but somehow he found the strength to stand up with his good leg and move backwards.
Kübra swung again and Marwan dodged out of the way, but she managed to slash his left arm this time. Marwan could feel the blood from his chest dripping down his skin like the rain had been earlier, and every time he moved it sent searing pain through his body. His left arm was weak now, too. His leg felt like it was being eaten alive and he wondered if this would be the end of him.
With incredible concentration and focus that seemed to come from the deepest parts of his being, Marwan was able to grab Kübra’s knife-wielding arm as she lunged at him again.
They both tumbled to the ground. Kübra was aiming for Marwan’s throat and it was all the weakened Marwan could do to hold her and the knife inches from his throat. Kübra was leaning in with her entire body’s weight and using both arms against Marwan’s single good arm. The knife moved closer and closer to Marwan’s skin.
Just as Marwan thought he couldn’t hold her off anymore, she yelped and fell on Marwan’s wounded chest, limp and unconscious. Marwan pushed her off and rolled over to see Benyamina holding a large, knotted piece of hard, wet wood. She had just used it as a club and hit Kübra over the head.
“Benny—I was supposed to save you. Thanks. But wait, there was a third person that I heard run away—did you get a look at who it was?” Marwan’s adrenaline enabled him to stand up as he wobbled unsteadily and scanned the moonlit riverbanks, looking for the third silhouette he saw.
But Marwan could not stay conscious any longer. The
poison was working its way into his leg and as he looked through the black night in vain for the vanished accomplice, he blacked out and fell to the ground.