The Last Sundancer Read Free Page A

But he was old and feeble.  He did not appear to pose a threat.  This is what she told herself over and over again each day.  She ignored the danger that her father posed to her children and Siada had paid with his life. 
    Denoa was quiet for a long time as guilt weighed down upon her.  She moved around the fire circle and grabbed hold of Kaichen’s hands. 
    It broke her heart to see the emptiness reflected in his eyes.  The boy stared without seeing. 
    “I will protect you, Kaichen.  I will not fail you again.” Denoa spoke through tears as she looked into her son’s face. 
    Kaichen did not answer her.  He did not even seem to hear her words. 
    Denoa stiffened her spine and stood to face Cohtzen.  She was ready to hear what it was that he would say.  Cohtzen had always stood by them. 
    “We will send your son to the bands that live upon the great mesas.  Azin will take on the training of him and he will soon thrive.  It is the only way that he will survive.” Cohtzen knew that Denoa would be forced to return to her people without her sons. 
    Siada’s resting place would remain unmarked and they chose to burn Narin’s body. It went without saying that her father would not be given the honor of a burial place. 
    Cohtzen watched silently as Denoa set fire to the large pier of wood that he had gathered piece by piece.   Narin’s body rested upon the mound and soon it was consumed by fire.  Denoa dragged Kaichen to his feet, heedless of his stiff arms and legs and the dull glaze of his eyes.  Denoa pulled the boy along until he stood beside his grandfather’s burial pier. 
    “Look and see, Kaichen.  Cohtzen has struck down your enemy.  But after this day you must fight your own battles.” Denoa forced back the tears that threatened to break free.  
    She knew that Kaichen’s spirit had flown from his body.  She did not know all that her son had suffered, but she could well imagine.  The bruises upon his body and the vacant stare of his eyes told her that Narin had managed to break something within her son.  Despite all that had come before now she knew that Kaichen must listen and remember.  It was the only way.
    “You will grow strong and you will walk just as your father walked.  I am sorry that I could not save you this unbearable pain.” Denoa’s voice broke on a sob, but she forced herself to continue. “I am sorry that your brother was taken from us.  But you are a survivor.”
    Denoa looked at Cohtzen and silently asked for him to leave them alone for a time.  Cohtzen’s jaw was as rigid as stone, but he did as she asked. 
    Denoa took several deep breaths and called upon the strength of will that had never failed her.  Now was the time.  She could not hold the truth from Kaichen any longer. 
    Denoa wanted to weep and gnash her teeth.  Grief burned inside of her and it did not seem that even the passage of time would wipe away her tears.  Her soul screamed that it was not fair. 
    Kaichen was still a child.  He did not deserve the burden that she would now place upon his shoulders and yet, she knew in her heart that he was no longer a boy.  He struggled in her embrace for a moment, but she held him firmly by the shoulders.  He jerked his chin away, but she forced him to look at her.
    “I will tell you the truth now, so that you will never doubt it.  You are Kaichen, the son of Shale.  You are the firstborn son of that great man and you are the future of our people.” Denoa felt her son stiffen within her embrace.
    When he turned his face away from her, she stepped back and gently grabbed hold of his chin.  He had his father’s eyes, his father’s proud stance and will.  He was his father’s son and he was their only hope. 
     
     

Chapter One
     
     
     
     
     
     
    His earliest m emory was the story of the Sunflower maiden as told to him by his mother.   Denoa had taken Kaichen by the hand and walked with him down the stone steps and out onto the