The Last Sundancer Read Free

his chest with the death of his brother.  His heart had been taken and he was no longer a boy. 
    When he raised his eyes to look at his mother he knew that she stared into the eyes of someone she did not know.  Kaichen had become a man.  He was twelve seasons of age. 
     
     
     
    “What will I do?”  Denoa turned to look at Cohtzen with eyes that were devoid of light. 
    Cohtzen lowered his gaze.  He could not bear to see Denoa bowed low with grief.  In that moment, Cohtzen knew that he would have done anything to keep the terrible grief from her heart. 
    Denoa’s eyes were vacant as she stared at Cohtzen.  The death of her son was another blow that fell on top of too many devastating losses.  First, she had survived the death of her husband and given birth to her sons alone.  Siada and Kaichen had been born under a full moon and they were twins. 
    Denoa had insisted from the moment of their birth that they mark the firstborn child.  Kaichen’s foot had been marked and allowed to fester. 
    Now he carried the mark of his father upon his right foot.  All knew that he was firstborn.  Siada had been born moments later and both boys were placed at their mother’s breast to feed.  Twins were not often allowed to live, but Denoa would not part with either one of her sons.  Cohtzen had understood and so he fought for their right to live. 
    Cohtzen could not think of anything to say to Denoa that would alleviate her suffering and he knew that she would not accept his help. 
    Denoa had known from the beginning that her father had taken both boys into the desert lands.  Narin had grown old, but that did not explain his actions.  The days spent as a captive had damaged Narin’s soul, sending it flying away.  The man that had harmed the boys and killed Siada was not the same man that had been a loving father to Denoa.
    Narin sought a way to ensure that the fate that had once befallen his people would never again come to pass.  Narin’s memories of captivity had tortured him night and day.  He simply could not let go of the past even though his people were free. 
    Denoa’s father had promised the people that he would not return until he fulfilled his quest.  Those of their village lived at the mercy of the land, they were tired beyond measure and many had needed to believe in something.  Anything.  Narin had taken Siada and Kaichen by force, leaving Denoa bound and helpless. 
    Cohtzen would have given everything that he owned if he could only turn back the hand of time.  He glanced at Kaichen.  The boy had not moved.  Not even when his mother threw her arms around him and sobbed over the death of his brother and the harm done to him. 
    “I cannot bring myself to mourn my father.  He is the man that murdered my son.” Denoa brushed long strands of ebony hair from her face.  She avoided mentioning her dead family members by name, as was their custom.   
    “If my husband still lived, he would know what to do.  You must help me Cohtzen, please tell me how to save my son.  My father has told everyone that my sons are the only hope for our people.  I cannot take Kaichen back to our people. Not yet.  For they will surely crush the life from him with their need alone.” Denoa looked into the distance and Cohtzen knew that her eyes sought the wondrous canyon rocks that gave her people power.   He had come to rely on the same red rocks for the source of his own strength.
    “You can send him away.” Cohtzen knew that his words would further break Denoa’s spirit. 
    Even now, the light that filled her soul had already grown dim.  When Narin took her sons, Denoa had been in torment over thoughts of what her father might do to harm her children. The vile things done to Narin by their enemies had shriveled what was left of his soul. Narin wanted peace for their people more than he wanted his next breath. 
    Denoa should have sent Narin away before he caused harm to someone that she loved.