CHAPTER 14
Seeking-Out Ceremony
The dying rays of the sun reflected pink upon the clouds as the children ended their descent and reached the plain. High above their heads the strong winds of the night tore off shreds from the clouds pink mass and hurled them towards black mountains.
"They're they are lad, yer've done it."
"What's over there Uncle Paddy? Those men are heading towards them!"
"Chacuti, look, I see warriors running towards us from afar,@ said Panqui, AIs it father? Are they friendly or do they wish to bring harm to us?"
AWe must be brave as father has taught us.@
The warriors moved at a rapid pace. The children could never hope to avoid them, even in the twilight they seemed to know exactly where the children were and quickly closed the distance.
Chacuti recognised the foremost of the men, AIt is Aquila!@ she exclaimed.
Panqui cried, AWe are done for Chacuti. He is father's sworn enemy.@ She lay down in a heap as all the strength left her body. Even as Chacuti went to her sister's aid the men reached them.
Aquila seized Panqui by the hair and jerked her to her feet. ATraitorous dogs! You will pay for the death of the king's messenger!@
The quipu was snatched from Chacuti's grasp. AAquila! The elders were right, the runner is dead,@ shouted the man, waving the quipu in the air as proof.
Cords were fastened tightly around the children's wrists, with kicks and blows to hurry them, they were dragged back to the city.
Through a very narrow entrance between the massive stone blocks of its defensive walls the group entered Sit-Nalta. The entrance was deliberately narrow so as to permit only one man to pass at a time. By the time the children passed through Aquila was no longer in sight. They were marched along next to the city walls until they reached the grand avenue, there they were forced to turn off towards the central square, ahead of them, massive block upon massive block, towered the temple.
People stared as they passed; some they recognised but not even warriors were prepared to help, they stood in stony silence watching them being kicked and shoved.
When they reached the temple its base was followed until they came to a double doorway which was covered in gold leaf and overlaid with stones of jade and obsidian, it reflected the burning lights magnificently. A warrior and several elders waited.
Chacuti begged one of the elders, "Please Uncle Popacata tell them we have not done anything."
AHe was one of the elders in the temple with the Shaman and the tattooed man, maybe he's the one the skulls said was against them!@ said Davey.
AIf he isn't then them poor kids could do without him as an uncle.@
Davey smiled at his uncle.
Popacata was powerless to do anything and could only watch as Aquila rejoined the warriors and handed their prisoners over to the temple guards. A huge crossbar was lifted from the heavy doors and, assisted by guards pushing from inside, the guards pulled the doors open. The children were quickly led in. The doors closed with a dull thud and the crossbar was replaced, trapping them in the temple's interior.
Outside Aquila brandished a quipu, "See, these dogs caused the death of Hotchas, he brought good tidings. It is here, plain to see. The gods are coming bringing a golden age!" he waved the quipu and tossed it to Popacata who examined it. After much frowning he made his excuses and hurried off.
"Should I go with him or stay with the kids?"
"Yer playing a blinder lad, it's up to you."
Within the temple the children were forced down corridors and passageways until they arrived at a number of heavy wooden doors set into the stone walls. One of these doors was opened and they were thrown inside into a small cell containing only rotting straw. The door was slammed shut.
APanqui@ whispered Chacuti in the darkness, Aare you alright?@
"Cuti, are we going to die?" cried Panqui.
"I am sorry qui-qui, it is my fault, we should have done as mother said and stayed on the mountain."
"Can we not have just a little light do you think?" begged Panqui, "surely a little light will be allowed us?"
Chacuti could hear the fear in her sisters voice, ADo not be afraid,@ she said quietly, AFather will hear of this and punish the men who have harmed us.@
"She's brave isn't she Uncle Paddy."
Paddy nodded grimly.
AI'm going to find out what Popa what's-is-name was up to.@
Popacata wasted no time in hurrying to his niece. She tried to run from the palace to her children's assistance.
"My babies! Those brutes will hurt them! I must go to them!" she screamed but the elder held her firmly.
"Calm yourself my dear, you will only make things worse, think how to help, think how Lord Axa would wish you to act."
Lady Axa made a great effort to regain control but she was panic-stricken. "Why did they return, why did they not stay on the mountain?"
"Something took place up there which caused them to return, I fear the hand of the Shaman was involved, the children are being held on the charges of causing the death of the runner Hotchas and trying to interfere with the return of the gods themselves."
"Why arrest them for crimes they could not have committed?"
"It is not so simple my child, the Shaman and the elders have seen the children in the smoking mirror. I have also witnessed this. It will serve the purpose of the Shaman to show that Lord Axa's children are enemies of the people."
A knock on the door froze them both into silence, they stood staring until in a shaking voice Lady Axa said, "Enter."
They were relieved when an elderly slave lady came into the room.
"What is it Hunwa?"
She handed over a small bag. Lady Axa looked into it before pulling out a quipu.
"Look! It bears the..." she exclaimed before Popacata interrupted,
"Thank you Hunwa, it would be best if you left," he said dismissing her.
"...it bears the seal of my husband!" finished Lady Axa.
Popacata looked, "It is Axa's seal," he confirmed, taking took hold of the quipu. "It tells of slaughter... death... and murder! Look my dear it is all here. It tells the warriors to be prepared to fight." He continued in a whisper, "Axa would never say these things unless he was absolutely certain. It is clear now, the Shaman will welcome these evil killers of women and children."
"How can we save my babies?" asked his niece wringing her hands in despair.
Popacata sat thinking for a few moments before he replied.
"The elders meet tonight, I will try to delay matters before Axa's return"
"Be careful Uncle," pleaded Lady Axa, "this is to be the final battle, I can feel it within me, nothing will remain as it was."
She sat waiting for his return upon a carved chair on the balcony, the bulk of the temple overshadowed her, the chill night breezes did little to cool her fevered brow as the thoughts and fears within her mind burnt their way out.
AWhip it along eh lad.@
A crescent moon had crossed half the heavens before Lady Axa recognised the stooping walk of Popacata as he crossed the main square, returning to the palace.
The manner in which he approached Lady Axa brought the question to her lips, AAll is not well?@
Popacata seemed to visibly grimace, "The elders are weak fools, they will not dare to speak against the Shaman.@
AThen all is lost,@ said Lady Axa tearfully.
"While Axa lives there is hope," said Popacata, "oh, would that Bonampak were here, his brother gave me his full support, he told me that the Shaman sent Bonampak away weeks ago to make ready for the return of these 'gods'. The time has come my dear. The Shaman has knowledge we do not have."
They stood together under the faint light from the moon. Popacata seemed to remember something and began to speak but stopped himself.
"What is it? there is more. Tell me Uncle, I must know!" insisted Lady Axa.
"The brother of Bonampak is a clever man, before we parted he w
arned me of another danger."
"Tell me!"
"My dear, you sent the children away to avoid it, the day of the sacrifice of the child is upon us."
The realisation hit Lady Axa, "I must go to them, they must allow the wife of a noble lord to see her children," panic had gripped her.
Popacata held her by the shoulders, "Stay! let us think on this, we have time, come, you cannot help them in any other way. Bonampak's brother has told me of a possibility, if it happens it may give us our chance to rescue the children.@ He bent nearer to Lady Axa. AThe Shaman may use the Seeking-Out Ceremony to find one of the children, it would prove to the people that Axa's children are evil and act against the gods.@
ABut Uncle how can this help us?@ asked Lady Axa.
AThe children will have to be freed by the Shaman if he is to seek them out. If we can get to them during that time then they will have a chance, here is what we must do...@ He put his mouth next to her ear.
"This is turnin' nasty lad. I don't like the sound of this."
"Maybe this was how the White Lady died Uncle Paddy. This Shaman gets her. We've got to free her before it's too late!"
It was black inside the children's cell.
"What's the squeaking sound?"
"Must be rats," answered Davey shivering with the memory of the day.
"Do not be afraid little Chibcha," said Panqui. She hugged her pet to herself, "father will come and rescue us, then we will all live together as a happy family. Won't we Chacuti, tell me that is how it is going to be."
"It's the guinea-pig," said Davey relieved.
Chacuti did not answer, despair had gripped her.
"Uncle Paddy, I've just had a thought..."
"Careful lad!"
"No listen, the Shaman saw me in that mirror, if we could get the girls to look into it maybe they'd see us and we could help them!"
"It's worth a try lad but where was the thing? This place is a flippin' maze an' a half."
"It was in that chamber shaped like a snake, if I wanted to go to it then we should be able to get there."
"It won't help lad 'cos yer've still got to somehow get the lassies to go there, an' if you didn't know how you got there, then yer wouldn't know how to lead them back to it. And even if yer could get there how would yer get them to go there. Flippin' eck this is doin' me 'ead in! Do you understand me or am I just talkin' a load of garbage?"
"No I'm with you Uncle Paddy, get your pen and paper and write down the path we take."
Paddy leant across and took up his chessboard and notepaper.
Their view moved outside the door of the children's cell.
"Jesus H Christ!" exclaimed Paddy.
The Shaman's face filled the mirror.
Davey ducked down beneath the dresser, the image of the Shaman rapidly began to fade.
"'ang on a mo', we're gettin' this wrong. 'e can't see us, the evil swines gone for the lassies. Get yerself back up 'ere."
"Uncle Paddy," said Davey still staring down at the floor.
"Yes lad."
"There's all these shapes and things down here, they look like buttons or dials."
Paddy leant forward. "There's nowt there lad but the oilcloth, there's no buttons on it and no shapes. Check 'em out, yer could be finding out about sommat else."
Davey placed his hand upon the shapes, nothing happened.
"No, can't feel them, I can just see them."
"'ave a look round the rest of the room lad, see if there 'owt else about."
"There's shapes everywhere and funny panels... when I look at them...Yeah they move towards me. It's weird. Wow! Look at that."
"What lad!"
"Over by the cupboard there's a sort of stand, there's all kinds of funny things on it. I don't know what all this is, it's stuff I've never seen before."
"This is all getting weirder and weirder," said Paddy. He coughed a deep thick throaty cough.
The cough started him off and he motioned Davey to leave the room. Davey pushed the helmet under the bed then went out to the landing and waited, feeling terribly guilty as he listened.
Mrs Murtagh's ears seemed tuned to the sound, her door creaked open and she appeared in a padded nightgown, her hair wrapped in a net; in one hand she carried a candle, in the other a huge bottle of foul coloured medicine and a huge spoon.
"Alright lovey leave 'im to me. He needs a clear-out." She knocked on the door, "Everything alright Paddy," and went in. After a few minutes the coughing subsided and Mrs Murtagh re-appeared carrying a bucket. "Shan't be a minute lovey."
She made her way down the stairs, the candle lit up the tight stairwell as she descended. Davey heard the back door go as she made her way out to the lavatory then the outside tap as the bucket was swilled.
Inside the bedroom Paddy was wheezing deeply.
The light from the candle preceded Mrs Murtagh's return, "Shan't be a minute lovey." She went into the room and placed the bucket by the side of the bed, "He'll be alright now." She returned to her room seemingly still asleep.
"You alright Uncle Paddy?" asked Davey uncertainly.
"Aye lad," said Paddy in a sad voice, "get yerself in 'ere, there's work to be done."
Davey sat upon the bed.
"Sorry about that me lad. Flippin' gas, yer know."
Davey nodded. He knew.
"It's a strange old world lad, here's me an' yer old feller, fought for King and Country and what do we get. Sweet Fanny Adam. Left to get on with it we are. Purely a question of economics and money, see we're getting back to gold again. Makes the world go round lad."
Davey was more than happy to sit and listen to Paddy, his throat did not have that rumbling quality to it which had preceded his 'clear-out'. But even so he felt guilty that the stress and excitement of the mirror had caused the problem.
"The aristocracy see, they're livin' in a diffrent world to us, first sneeze and a snuffle then the doc's called in. I don't know lad, me own lungs have probably had it but yer old feller, now there's a diffrent story, given the right treatment 'e ought to make a recovery. A few measly quid, that's all we're talking 'ere!" Paddy had lost his temper and Davey was glad, it was either that or the tears which had arisen in his eyes would have flowed. "I tell yer lad that Butcher Haig's got a lot to answer for when 'e ends up standin' at the Pearly Gates. They were all good lads, they'll be there, bringin' 'im to account. What can 'e say, Astern endeavour@, stern endeavour my Aunt Fanny!"
"Paddeee!" called Mrs Murtagh, "get yerself to sleep now, yer keeping the lad awake, 'e's got work tomorrer."
Paddy realised he was shouting. "Sorry lad, got a bit carried away with meself, she's right. Yer'd better get yer 'ead down now, yer've a long day ahead."
"I don't feel a bit tired Uncle Paddy, I don't know why, I just don't. I'll be okay, honest I will, the white lady's depending on us."
"You sure yer'll be alright lad, I mean yer was up all last night as well yer know."
"I know, it's strange but I actually feel more awake than normal."
Paddy chewed his lip. "Where was we? Oh yeah. The Shyman. I don't reckon 'e could see yer. Tell you what stick the pickle* on an' we'll check him out. If he's watching us get ready to take it off."
[pickelhauber – German spiked helmet]
"What about the things I saw here, in the room?" Davey reminded him.
"Oh yeah, forgot 'bout them," Paddy grinned. "Tell yer what lad, leave that for now, the main thing is that we find out how to help the girl. Yer couldn't touch yer saw so I don't reckon it's goin' to help matters much but what do you think, it's up to you?"
"I think you're right Uncle Paddy. I'd just like to know what all those things were, it's as if the more I wear the helmet the more I'm finding out."
"Stick it on yer nod lad."
The Shaman's face again filled the mirror.
"Has he seen us Uncle Paddy!"
They waited anxious moments but drew breath again when they watched the Shaman drew back a wooden
slat which was used to bar the door. "No he can't see us. Go on with yer!" Paddy jeered as the Shaman heaved open the door.
The slight chink of light which filtered into the cell from around the heavy door gradually grew larger. "Panqui!" whispered Chacuti grasping onto her sister. "Is it father?"
The light slowly grew into a faint strip. They cuddled to each other. The light grew as the door opened to reveal a figure standing, carrying a flaming brand.
"Father is it you," begged Panqui, trying desperately to make out who stood there. When their eyes grew accustomed to the flaring light both children screamed.
The Shaman stood staring at them. "It is time!" he barked then strode into the cell. He grasped the children roughly and jerked them to their feet, out through the door he dragged them.
"What's 'e meaning, it's time?" asked Paddy. ATime for what? A cup of tea?@
"It's that sacrifice Popacata was talking about!"
Davey leant back and their view moved outside the temple, the temple square was thronged with crowds, drums thumped out the call.
"I'll try to find Lady Axa," said Davey and swept through the palace but it was bare of people. Two warriors stood guard ensuring that everyone attended the ceremony.
AGet back to the kids lad!@
The two children were being led by guards. The temple doors opened and they were thrust out into the main square. They stood blinking for some minutes before their eyes could withstand the glare.
AWe're free Cuti! They've let us go!@ cried Panqui.
ACome let us find Lady Axa!@ called Chacuti.
They ran anxiously back and forth crying out for their mother or shouting out to people they recognised. "Help us! Have you seen Lady Axa, do you know where our mother is?"
Everyone was in too much of a hurry to pay them any attention As the crowd began to form in